NextPlat Corp S-3, filed Dec 17, 2025
NextPlat Corp (NXPL)
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 17, 2025
Registration No. 333-[____]
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
|
|
|
|
|
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employee |
(
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant's principle executive offices)
David Phipps
Chief Executive Officer
400 Ansin Blvd, Suite A
Hallandale Beach, FL 33009
(305) 560-5381
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
Ralph V. De Martino, Esq.
Marc Rivera, Esq.
ArentFox Schiff LLP
901 K Street NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20001
Tel: (202) 724-6848
Fax: (202) 778-6460
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box: ☐
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box: ☒
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
|
Large accelerated filer |
☐ |
Accelerated filer |
☐ |
||
|
|
☒ |
Smaller reporting company |
|
||
|
Emerging growth company |
|
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of Securities Act. ☐
The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until this registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Subject to Completion, dated December 17, 2025
PROSPECTUS
NextPlat Corp
Up to $300,000,000 of
Common Stock,
Preferred Stock,
Debt Securities,
Warrants,
Units
We may offer and sell common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants or units of securities consisting of some or all of these securities in any combination from time to time in one or more offerings, at prices and on terms described in one or more supplements to this prospectus. The debt securities and warrants may be convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our shares or other securities. The aggregate initial offering price of all securities sold by us under this prospectus will not exceed $300,000,000.
Each time we sell securities, we will provide a supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the offering and the terms of the securities. The supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided in connection with a specific offering. You should read this prospectus, any supplement and any free writing prospectus before you invest in any of our securities.
We may sell the securities independently or together with any other securities registered hereunder. We may sell the securities through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, or through a combination of these methods, on a continuous or delayed basis. See “Plan of Distribution.” If any underwriters, dealers or agents are involved in the sale of any of the securities, their names, and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangements between or among them, will be set forth, or will be calculable from the information set forth, in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The aggregate market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates, or public float, as of December 10, 2025, was approximately $9.5 million, which was calculated based on 15,074,825 shares of common stock held by non-affiliates and $0.63 per share, which was the closing price of our shares of common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market on December 10, 2025. During the 12 calendar months prior to and including the date of this prospectus, we have sold, pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3, 0 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase 0 shares of common stock.
Our shares are currently traded on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “NXPL”. On December 10, 2025, the closing price for our shares on The Nasdaq Capital Market was $0.63 per share.
We may amend or supplement this prospectus from time to time by filing amendments or supplements as required.
Investing in our securities involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 20 of this prospectus.
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (THE “SEC”) NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
PROSPECTUS DATED _______, 2025
TABLE OF CONTENTS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) utilizing a “shelf” registration process permitted under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. By using a “shelf” registration statement, we may sell any of our securities from time to time and in one or more offerings. This prospectus only provides you with a summary description of these securities. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the securities being offered and the specific terms of that offering. The supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, you should rely on the prospectus supplement. As permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC, the registration statement filed by us includes additional information not contained in this prospectus.
This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus include important information about us, the securities being offered and other information you should know before investing in our securities. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate on any date subsequent to the date set forth on the front cover of this prospectus or that any information we have incorporated by reference is correct on any date subsequent to the date of the document incorporated by reference, even though this prospectus is delivered or shares of common stock are sold or otherwise disposed of on a later date. It is important for you to read and consider all information contained in this prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference therein, in making your investment decision. You should also read and consider the information in the documents to which we have referred you under “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” in this prospectus.
You should rely only on this prospectus and the information incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We have not, and the selling stockholders have not, authorized anyone to give any information or to make any representation to you other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction.
We further note that the representations, warranties and covenants made by us in any agreement that is filed as an exhibit to any document that is incorporated by reference in this prospectus were made solely for the benefit of the parties to such agreement, including, in some cases, for the purpose of allocating risk among the parties to such agreements, and should not be deemed to be a representation, warranty or covenant to you. Moreover, such representations, warranties or covenants were accurate only as of the date when made. Accordingly, such representations, warranties and covenants should not be relied on as accurately representing the current state of our affairs.
Unless otherwise indicated, information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus concerning our industry, including our general expectations and market opportunity, is based on information from our own management estimates and research, as well as from industry and general publications and research, surveys and studies conducted by third parties. Management estimates are derived from publicly available information, our knowledge of our industry and assumptions based on such information and knowledge, which we believe to be reasonable. In addition, assumptions and estimates of our and our industry’s future performance are necessarily uncertain due to a variety of factors, including those described in “Risk Factors” beginning on page 20 of this prospectus. These and other factors could cause our future performance to differ materially from our assumptions and estimates.
Certain Defined Terms and Conventions
Unless otherwise indicated, references in this prospectus to:
|
● |
“shares,” “common shares,” and “common stock” are to shares of our common stock, par value $0.0001 per share. |
|
|
● |
“US$” and “U.S. dollars” are to the legal currency of the United States. |
|
|
● |
“we,” “us,” “our,” refer to NextPlat Corp, a Nevada corporation, and its subsidiaries. |
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
For the purposes of this section, the term registration statement means the original registration statement and any and all amendments including the schedules and exhibits to the original registration statement or any amendment. This prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement we filed. For further information regarding us and the shares offered in this prospectus, you may desire to review the full registration statement, including the exhibits. The registration statement, including its exhibits and schedules, may be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference room by calling 1-202-551-8090. Copies of such materials are also available by mail from the Public Reference Branch of the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549 at prescribed rates. In addition, the SEC maintains a website (http://www.sec.gov) from which interested persons can electronically access the registration statement, including the exhibits and schedules to the registration statement.
We are subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). In accordance with the Exchange Act, we file reports with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with them. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. Each document incorporated by reference is current only as of the date of such document, and the incorporation by reference of such documents should not create any implication that there has been no change in our affairs since the date thereof or that the information contained therein is current as of any time subsequent to its date. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus and should be read with the same care. When we update the information contained in documents that have been incorporated by reference by making future filings with the SEC, the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus is considered to be automatically updated and superseded. In other words, in the case of a conflict or inconsistency between information contained in this prospectus and information incorporated by reference into this prospectus, you should rely on the information contained in the document that was filed later.
We incorporate by reference the documents listed below:
|
● |
our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 filed with the SEC on March 24, 2025; |
|
|
● |
our definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on April 30, 2025 and supplemented on May 2, 2025 and May 27, 2025; |
|
|
● |
our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, filed with the SEC on May 15, 2025, for the quarter ended June 30, 2025 filed with the SEC on August 14, 2025, and for the quarter ended September 30, 2025 filed with the SEC on November 13, 2025; |
|
|
● |
our Current Reports on Form 8-K and any amendments on Form 8-K/A filed on April 4, 2025, April 14, 2025, April 24, 2025, April 28, 2025, May 27, 2025, May 30, 2025, June 26, 2025, September 9, 2025, October 3, 2025, October 15, 2025, October 30, 2025 and December 9, 2025; |
|
|
● |
the description of our common stock, par value $0.0001 per share contained in our prospectus forming a part of the Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-40447), originally filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2022, as thereafter amended and supplemented from time to time; and |
|
|
● |
all documents that we file with the SEC on or after the effective time of this prospectus pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and prior to the sale of all the securities registered hereunder or the termination of the registration statement. |
Unless expressly incorporated by reference, nothing in this prospectus shall be deemed to incorporate by reference information furnished to, but not filed with, the SEC.
We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, who receives a copy of this prospectus, upon written or oral request, without charge, a copy of any or all of the documents we refer to above which we have incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You should direct your requests to the attention of our Chief Financial Officer at our principal executive office located at 400 Ansin Blvd, Suite A, Hallandale Beach, FL 33009. Our telephone number is (305) 560-5381.
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, in any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be delivered to you. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We will not make an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus, the applicable supplement to this prospectus or in any related free writing prospectus is accurate as of its respective date, and that any information incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, unless we indicate otherwise. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.
This summary highlights selected information from this prospectus and the documents incorporated herein by reference and does not contain all of the information that you need to consider in making your investment decision. You should carefully read the entire prospectus, including the risks of investing in our securities discussed under “Risk Factors” beginning on page 20 of this prospectus, the information incorporated herein by reference, including our financial statements, and the exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. All references in this prospectus to “we,” “us,” “our,” “NXPL,” the “Company,” and similar designations refer to NextPlat Corp, unless otherwise indicated or as the context otherwise requires.
Our Company
Overview
NextPlat Corp is a global e-commerce and healthcare company. Our e-commerce venues form an effective global network serving thousands of consumers, enterprises, and governments. Our healthcare business is focused on improving the lives of patients with complex chronic diseases through a patient and provider engagement and their partnerships with payors, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and distributors, offering a broad range of solutions to address the dispensing, delivery, dosing, and reimbursement of clinically intensive, high-cost drugs.
Segments
We operate in two segments: our e-Commerce Operations and our Healthcare Operations.
e-Commerce Operations
Historically, the business of NextPlat has been the provision of a comprehensive array of satellite enabled communication services, and related equipment sales. The Company operates three main e-Commerce websites as well as 25 third-party e-Commerce storefronts such as Alibaba, Amazon, and Walmart. These e-Commerce venues form an effective global network serving thousands of consumers, enterprises, and governments. Leveraging the e-Commerce experience of the Company’s management team and the Company’s existing e-Commerce platforms, the Company has embarked upon the rollout of a state-of-the-art e-Commerce platform to collaborate with businesses to optimize their ability to sell their goods online, domestically, and internationally, and enabling customers and partners to optimize their e-Commerce presence and revenue, which we expect will become the focus of the e-Commerce operating business segment in the future. We are actively pursuing distribution, marketing and license arrangements, and joint ventures with companies that could distribute their products through our e-Commerce platform. We may also seek to joint venture with or purchase part or all of businesses that manufacture or distribute products, particularly those that we believe we could market through our e-Commerce platform, as well as businesses that could enhance our e-Commerce platform.
On April 1, 2024, NextPlat acquired 100% of the ownership interest of Outfitter Satellite, Inc., a Tennessee corporation (“Outfitter”) in a stock purchase transaction. The Outfitter acquisition was completed to expand the Company’s satellite enabled communication services in the U.S. Outfitter provides consumers, commercial and government customers with advanced satellite-based connectivity solutions from leading brands, including Iridium, Inmarsat and Globalstar.
Communications Products and Services
Through our legacy Global Telesat Communications Ltd (“GTC”) and Orbital Satcom Corp (“Orbital Satcom”) business units, we provide Mobile Satellite Services (“MSS”) solutions to fulfill the growing global demand for satellite-enabled voice, data, personnel and asset tracking, Machine-to-Machine (“M2M”) and Internet of Things (“IoT”) connectivity services. We provide these solutions for businesses, governments, military, humanitarian organizations, and individual users, enabling them to communicate, connect to the internet, track and monitor remote assets and lone workers, or request SOS assistance via satellite from almost anywhere in the world, even in the most remote and hostile of environments.
We provide voice, data communications, IoT and M2M services via Geostationary and Low Earth Orbit (“LEO”) satellite constellations and offer reliable connectivity in areas where terrestrial wireless or wireline networks do not exist or are limited, including remote land areas, open ocean, airways, the polar regions and regions where terrestrial networks are not operational, for example due to political conflicts and natural or man-made disasters.
We have expertise and long-term experience in providing tracking and monitoring services via satellite, specifically through the Globalstar Low Earth Orbit satellite network. We own unique network infrastructure devices, known as appliqués, which are in various Globalstar ground stations around the world and provide the signal receipt and processing technology that enables and powers the Globalstar simplex data service. Our ownership of these appliqués provides us with competitive access to the global simplex data service which addresses the market demand for a small and cost-effective solution for sending data, such as geographic coordinates, from assets or individuals in remote locations to a central monitoring station and is used in numerous applications such as tracking vehicles, asset shipments, livestock, and monitoring unattended remote assets. In addition, we also provide tracking and monitoring solutions using Automatic Identification System (AIS), 2G-5G, Push-to-Talk and two-way radio technology.
We generate revenue from both the provision of services and the sale of equipment. Higher margin recurring service revenue from the sale of monthly, annual, and prepaid airtime or messaging plans has historically represented an increasing proportion of our revenue, and we expect that trend to continue as we introduce new products requiring associated airtime or messaging plans.
We provide our products and services directly to end users and reseller networks located both in the United States and internationally through our subsidiaries: U.K. based GTC; U.S. based Orbital Satcom and Outfitter. We have a physical presence in the United States and the United Kingdom, as well as an e-Commerce storefront presence in 18 countries across five continents. We have a diverse geographical customer base having provided solutions for more than 60,000 customers located in more than 165 countries across most every continent in the world.
MSS Products
Our MSS products rely on satellite networks for voice, data and tracking connectivity and thus are not reliant on cell towers or other local infrastructure. As a result, our MSS solutions are suitable for recreational travelers and adventurers, government and military users, and corporations and individuals wishing to communicate or connect to the internet from remote locations, or in the event of an emergency such as a power outage, following a hurricane or other natural disaster during which regular cell phone, telephone and internet service may not be available.
Our satellite communications products enable users to make voice calls, send and receive text messages and emails, and transmit GPS location coordinates from virtually anywhere on the planet, no matter how remote the location and regardless of the availability of local communication infrastructure. Our range of satellite data products allows users around the world to connect to the internet, stream live video, and communicate via voice and data applications.
We are a provider of GPS enabled emergency locator distress beacons that can save lives, on land and at sea. Our distress beacons enable essential communication between our customers and search and rescue organizations during emergency situations and pinpoint locational information to Search and Rescue services, essential during an emergency.
We provide a wide range of satellite tracking devices used to monitor the location, movements, and history of almost anything that moves. We specialize in offering satellite tracking services through the Globalstar satellite network and have supplied tens of thousands of tracking devices which are used around the world to locate lone workers, track shipping containers, livestock, vehicles, and vessels along with many other types of assets.
Mapping and Tracking Portal
Our advanced subscription-based mapping and tracking portal, GTCTrack, is available for use by registered customers who pay a monthly fee to access it. This mapping portal provides a universal and hardware-agnostic, cloud-based data visualization and management platform that allows managers to track, command, and control assets in near-real-time. Asset location reports including position, speed, altitude, heading and past location and movement history reports for a wide range of tracking devices and other products sold by us are available through GTCTrack.
Online Storefronts and e-Commerce Platforms
We operate two e-Commerce websites offering a range of MSS products and solutions through our subsidiaries, Orbital Satcom, which targets customers in North and South America, and GTC which targets customers in the UK, EU, Middle East, Asia and the rest of the world. These websites produce sales and attract enquiries from customers and potential customers from all around the world. Over the long term, we plan to develop additional country-specific websites to target customers in South America, Asia, and Europe where we anticipate there will be substantial further demand for our products.
In addition to our three main e-Commerce websites, we make portable satellite voice, data and tracking solutions easier to find and buy online through our various third-party e-Commerce storefronts such as Alibaba, Amazon, OnBuy and Walmart. We currently operate 25 storefronts across various countries on 5 continents. We have invested in personnel to translate our listings correctly in the different countries we are represented in and intend to regularly improve and increase our listings on all e-Commerce sites. We currently have more than 10,000 product listings on all third-party sites and invest significantly in inventory to hold at Amazon’s various fulfillment centers around the world to ensure that orders are shipped to customers as quickly as possible. The products include handheld satellite phones, personal and asset tracking devices, portable high-speed broadband terminals, and satellite Wi-Fi hotspots. Our Amazon online marketplaces represented approximately 32.8% and 51.6% of total sales for the years ended December 31, 2024, and 2023, respectively, and we anticipate that these marketplaces will continue to represent a significant portion of our sales for the foreseeable future. Our e-Commerce storefronts enable us to attract a significantly diversified level of sales from all over the world, ensuring we are not overly reliant on any single market or sector for our sales revenue. Furthermore, many products we sell require subscription-based services which allow us to increase our recurring revenue from airtime sales.
Industry and Market of our e-Commerce Operations Business
We compete in the mobile satellite products and services sector of the global communications industry. The products and airtime that we sell are intended to meet users’ needs for connectivity in all locations where existing terrestrial wireline and wireless communications networks do not exist, do not provide sufficient coverage, or are impaired. Government organizations, including military and intelligence agencies and disaster response agencies, non-governmental organizations and industrial operations and support teams depend on mobile voice and data satellite communications products and services on a regular basis. Businesses with global operations require reliable communications services when operating in remote locations around the world. Mobile satellite services users span many sectors, including emergency services, maritime, aviation, government, utilities, oil and gas, mining, recreation, forestry, heavy equipment, construction, and transportation, among others. We believe many of our customers view satellite communications products and services as critical to their daily operations.
We believe there is a fast growing, multi-billion-dollar global market for a small and cost-effective solution for receiving and processing mobile voice and data communications from remote locations used in applications such as tracking vehicles or asset shipments, monitoring unattended remote assets or mobile security. Over the past two decades, the global mobile satellite services market has experienced significant growth. Increasingly, better-tailored, improved-technology products and services are creating new channels of demand for mobile satellite services. Growth in demand for mobile satellite voice services is driven by the declining cost of these services, the diminishing size and lower costs of the devices, as well as heightened demand by governments, businesses and individuals for ubiquitous global voice and data coverage. We believe our solutions are ideally suited for industries such as maritime, aviation, government/military, emergency/humanitarian services, mining, forestry, oil and gas, heavy equipment, transportation and utilities, as well as recreational users. We do not tailor our products and services to different types of customers as in our experience military, non-profit, government and recreational users tend to purchase the same types of products and services.
Growth Strategy
We intend to achieve our mission and further grow our business by pursuing the following strategies:
Increased product offerings and marketplace expansion: We are constantly increasing our product lines and offerings and will continue to do so in the future. Additionally, we intend to expand and open new global e-commerce storefronts around the world to develop sales in new markets serving thousands of consumers, enterprises, and governments.
Government sourced revenue: We intend to target US government/GSA sales which have not historically represented a significant part of our sales revenue. We will also recruit experienced government sales professionals to assist with this plan. We plan to become an approved seller on the US Government’s GSA Schedule, which gives federal, and in some cases state and local buyers, access to a great number of commercial products and services at negotiated ceiling prices. Schedule purchases represent approximately 21% of overall federal procurement spending.
Product innovation: We will continue to launch our own innovative branded products, such as our SolarTrack solar powered satellite tracking device, to differentiate us and gain a competitive edge over other MSS suppliers.
Future acquisitions: We will seek suitable acquisition opportunities to further increase our scale, expand sales, and access new markets and sectors.
Competition to our e-Commerce Operations Business
The global satellite communications industry is highly competitive. In certain regions, such as North America, we currently face substantial competition from other service providers that offer a range of mobile and fixed communications options. In other regions, such as the UK and EU, we have a strong presence and are one of the leading providers of satellite communicators, emergency locator beacons and satellite tracking devices. We compete primarily on the basis of coverage, quality, portability, pricing and in the case of our e-commerce storefronts, availability of services and products.
The competitors for our satellite telecommunications services and products are other resellers of leading satellite networks such as Iridium, Inmarsat, Thuraya, Globalstar, and Starlink, some of which are also our suppliers. We expect the competition for our satellite telecommunications services and our satellite tracking and monitoring services to increase significantly as market demand accelerates.
We believe that we are well positioned to compete for the satellite telecommunications services business largely on a cost basis and our global e-commerce presence, which makes products more accessible to buy as compared to more traditional methods of purchasing e.g., bricks and mortar storefronts.
Competitive Strengths
We believe that the following strengths contribute to our success:
Global presence and expertise: Our global presence enables us to compete in various markets around the world, with our multi-lingual personnel allowing us to respond to global customer inquiries with 24/7/365 customer support. Our significant expertise in global e-commerce sales allows us to maintain a competitive advantage over traditional methods of purchase through “brick and mortar” stores. Additionally, our significant levels of inventory stored in fulfillment centers around the world enable us to quickly secure customer orders against competitors who may not hold available inventory.
Cost advantage through economies of scale: As a leading provider of MS products, we benefit from significant economies of scale across our supply chain and distribution network that enable us to offer competitive prices for our products.
Strategic partnerships and industry expertise: Our long-standing contractual relationship and deep operational experience with Globalstar position us as a trusted and capable partner in satellite tracking and related connectivity solutions. These established partnerships provide us with privileged insight into system requirements, early access to upcoming opportunities, and a proven track record of performance.
Diverse customer base: No single customer represents more than 3% of our annual gross e-Commerce sales revenue and no single country represents more than 33% of our gross annual sales revenue as of December 31, 2024. This diversification reasonably permits the Company not to rely on any single customer, or group of customers, on any single product line, or any specific geographic area. Our Amazon sales represent the majority of our sales effort in the last 24 months.
Healthcare Operations
The Company’s Healthcare segment operates through a wholly owned entity, Progressive Care, LLC, (“Progressive”) a Nevada Limited Liability Company, which includes wholly owned subsidiaries, Pharmco, LLC (“Pharmco 901”), Touchpoint RX, LLC doing business as Pharmco Rx 1002, LLC (“Pharmco 1002”), Family Physicians RX, Inc. doing business as PharmcoRx 1103 and PharmcoRx 1204 (“FPRX” or “Pharmco 1103” and “Pharmco 1204”) (pharmacy subsidiaries collectively referred to as “Pharmco”), and ClearMetrX Inc. (“ClearMetrX”). Pharmco provides prescription pharmaceuticals, compounded medications, anti-retroviral medications, medication therapy management, the supply of prescription medications to long-term care facilities, contracted pharmacy services for 340B covered entities under the 340B Drug Discount Pricing Program, certain disease testing, vaccinations, and health practice risk management. ClearMetrX offers personalized healthcare services and technology that provides prescription pharmaceuticals and risk and data management services to healthcare organizations and providers.
We offer services in a variety of languages, including English, Spanish, French, Creole, Portuguese, Ukrainian, and Russian.
Our services are designed to provide satisfaction across all medication stakeholders and enhance loyalty and key performance metrics. We offer value-added services at no additional charge including prior authorization assistance, same-day home-medication delivery, on site provider consultation services, primary care reporting and analytics, and customized packaging solutions. The pharmacies accept most major insurance plans and provide access to co-pay assistance programs to income qualified patients, discount and manufacturer coupons, and competitive cash payment options.
Healthcare Products and Services
We enhance patient adherence to complex drug regimens, collect and report data, and ensure effective dispensing of medications to support the needs of patients, providers, and payors. Our patient and provider support services ensure appropriate drug initiation, facilitate patient compliance and adherence, and capture important information regarding safety and effectiveness of the medications that we dispense.
Pharmco is rated by pharmacy benefit managers (“PBMs”) based on its ability to adequately supply chronic care medications to patients during a measurement period. This score is then compared to the scores of other pharmacies in the network at which point a relative rating is issued. For the year ended December 31, 2024, per EQuIPP®, a performance information management tool that provides standardized, benchmarked data to help shape strategies and guide medication-related performance improvement, our performance score was Five Stars, ranking our pharmacy among the top pharmacies in the U.S. Primary care physicians may refer patients to pharmacies that have high performance scores, though patients retain the right to have their prescriptions dispensed by a network of pharmacies of their choice.
Through our wholly owned subsidiary, ClearMetrX, we offer data management and reporting services to support health care organizations. There are substantial restrictions in federal and state laws on the use and sharing of patient data and ClearMetrX is in compliance with such laws. ClearMetrX offerings include data management and Third-Party Administration (“TPA”) services for 340B covered entities, pharmacy data analytics, and programs to manage HEDIS Quality Measures including Medication Adherence. These offerings cater to the glaring need for frontline providers to understand best practices, patient behaviors, care management processes, and the financial mechanisms behind these decisions. We provide data access and actionable insights that providers and support organizations can use to improve their practice and patient care.
Pharmco pharmacies provide contracted pharmacy services for 340B covered entities under the 340B Drug Discount Pricing Program. Under the terms of these agreements, our pharmacies act as a pass-through for reimbursements on prescription claims adjudicated on behalf of the 340B covered entities in exchange for a dispensing fee per prescription. These fees vary by the covered entity and the level of services we provide.
For our long-term care (“LTC”) facilities, Pharmco provides purchasing, special packaging, and dispensing of both prescription and non-prescription pharmaceutical products. Pharmco utilizes a unit-of-dose packaging system as opposed to the traditional vials as this method of distribution is the industry best practice standard. Pharmco is equipped for various types of unit-of-dose packaging options to meet the needs of LTC patients and retail customers. Pharmco uses the same robotic packaging systems currently used by chain, mail order, and large-scale pharmacies. Pharmco also provides computerized maintenance of patient prescription histories, third-party billing and consultant pharmacist services. Pharmco’s consultant pharmacist services consist primarily of evaluation of monthly patient drug therapy and monitoring the LTC institution’s drug distribution system.
Medication therapy management (“MTM”) involves review and adjustment of prescribed drug therapies to improve patient health outcomes for patients with multiple prescriptions. This process includes several activities such as performing patient assessments, creating medication treatment plans, monitoring the effectiveness of and adherence to prescribed therapies, and delivering documentation of these services to the patient’s physician to coordinate comprehensive care.
Distribution Methods
Pharmco pharmacies are full-service retail and specialty services pharmacies that offer same-day and next-day free delivery to Florida’s diverse population and currently holds Florida Community Pharmacy Permits at all Florida pharmacy locations. Pharmco 901 is a pharmacy located in Hallandale Beach, Florida, and is licensed as a non-resident pharmacy in the following states: Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Utah. Pharmco 1103 is a pharmacy with locations in North Miami Beach and Orlando, Florida that provides pharmacy services to Miami-Dade County, Broward County, the Orlando/Tampa corridor, and the Treasure Coast of Florida. Pharmco 1002 is a pharmacy located in Palm Springs, Florida that provides pharmacy services to Palm Beach, St. Lucie and Martin Counties, Florida.
Industry and Market of our Healthcare Operations Business
Pharmacy operations
The retail pharmacy and pharmaceutical wholesale industries are highly competitive and dynamic and have experienced consolidation and an evolving competitive landscape in recent years. Prescription drugs play a significant role in healthcare, constituting a first line of treatment for many medical conditions. New and innovative drugs will improve quality of life and control healthcare costs. In light of accelerating usage of mail order and delivery-based services, we believe the market for personalized and convenient care access is increasing. We have provided same-day and next-day home delivery services since the beginning of our operations. We are well positioned in Florida to gain additional market share among a broad demographic of patients due to our high-performance scores and value-added services. Additionally, we value opportunities that create strategic partnerships, acquire synergistic operations and expand current operations to round out pharmacy capabilities which could potentially include, but are not limited to, specialty medications, sterile compounding, and mail-order.
Data management services
The latest trend in healthcare is to use data to improve patient outcomes and quality of life - a practice known as “Applied Health Analytics”. “Data analytics” refers to the practice of aggregating large data sets and analyzing them to draw important insights and recommendations. This process is increasingly aided by new software and technology that facilitates the examination of large volumes of data to detect hidden information.
A key objective within organizations with access to large data collections is to harness the most relevant data and use it to optimize decision making. ClearMetrX developed the 340MetrX platform that retrieves dispensing pharmacy data to provide physicians and 340B covered entities with valuable and insightful reports and analytics to manage their operations.
We also serve the following key constituents, to benefit our patients:
Physicians and Health Systems: Our team works with physician offices to manage prior-authorization and other requirements of managed care organization requirements, such as denial and appeal process, to ensure that complicated administrative tasks do not impair the delivery of quality patient care. We provide risk evaluation services, implement risk mitigation strategies, and collect patient adherence data to provide physicians and health systems with enhanced visibility. Our tools and processes improve physician performance metrics which in turn results in enhanced profitability of the physicians’ practices.
Payors: We manage prescription regimens for chronically ill populations and help payors, including health insurance plans and PBMs, reduce costs through patient care management, reduction in readmission rates, decreased acute care spending for chronic care conditions, formulary compliance, and implementation of lowest cost-effective alternative therapies.
Virtual Healthcare Services and Healthcare Technologies
Virtual healthcare services, such as Telehealth, are a growing segment of the healthcare sector. It involves remotely exchanging patient data between locations for the purposes of obtaining assistance in monitoring and diagnosing. Telehealth allows the healthcare practitioner to easily offer their services on consultation, care management, diagnosis, and self-management services using information and communication technologies. These services are being offered through various modes of delivery, such as on-premises, web-based, and cloud-based delivery. A growing population over the age of 65, the increase in the number of chronic diseases, and a rise in demand for home monitoring devices are the major drivers which are likely to aid the growth of the telehealth market.
In the current environment, healthcare information is increasingly fragmented with numerous electronic healthcare record platforms, virtual care systems, pharmacy software, and data silos and transmitters which lack fundamental integration. Healthcare stakeholders are often at odds about proper care techniques and this lack of alignment increases burdens on providers and patients alike and is associated with decreasing satisfaction with healthcare services and negative health outcomes.
Growth Strategy
We plan to grow our healthcare operations business by executing on the following key growth strategies:
Data Management Services: We believe that data management for frontline and independent providers, 340B covered entities, and pharmacies will have increasing importance as health systems evolve to become virtual and digitized. Increasing focus on performance, margins, and quality, means that our models and platforms will have strategic value through our roots in day-to-day care management. Data management services will become an increasing driver of growth and development for us with its higher margins and diverse monetization pathways.
Invest in Sales and Marketing: Our pharmacies are based in South Florida and will continue to grow our dispensing operations throughout the state, and there are opportunities to expand geographically throughout the rest of the country. Our data management services and health IT services can be used by customers across the U.S. and we expect to continue to invest in sales and marketing efforts for these services.
Selectively Pursue Growth Through Strategic Acquisitions: We believe the specialty pharmacy industry is highly fragmented and provides numerous opportunities to expand through acquisitions. While we will continue to focus on growing our business organically, we believe we can opportunistically enhance our competitive position through complementary acquisitions in both existing and new markets. We plan to selectively evaluate potential acquisition opportunities in other therapeutic categories, services, and technologies with the goal of preserving our culture, optimizing patient outcomes, enhancing value to other constituents, and building long-term value for our shareholders.
Competition to our Healthcare Operations Business
Competitive Strengths
We believe we are well positioned to continue to increase our market share based on the following competitive strengths:
Adding value to all constituents: The value we deliver to all constituents is based upon our thousands of daily patient interactions. We help patients adhere to complicated medication therapies, process refills, manage any side effects, and manage any insurance concerns ensuring that they get the best standard of care. The clinical efficacy of drug therapies, especially for acute and chronic conditions, is typically enhanced when patients precisely follow the prescribed treatment regimens, including dosing and frequency.
Performance: Pharmacies are measured against their peers to improve quality of patient care. We have dedicated staff to track performance metrics, ensuring high comparative adherence rates. Across the population, an average 50% of patients are adherent to prescribed medication protocols. We believe our high adherence rates are due to, among other things, our model of proactive patient engagement, direct communication with and connections to healthcare stakeholders, our patient training and education, patient behavior analysis and medication coaching, compliance packaging, tracking timing of refills, free home delivery, and language support. We also help identify third-party funding support programs to help cover expensive out-of-pocket costs.
Clinically trained operational professionals: Our licensed pharmacists and technicians have been trained on our patient care model and data management tools to conduct a full healthcare evaluation. These healthcare professionals not only dispense medications, but also analyze patients’ needs, behaviors, lifestyles, healthcare services providers, and payor resources to optimize the medication therapies received. Our staff conducts this full healthcare evaluation while also communicating necessary care information to authorized providers and caregivers before medications are dispensed, which differentiates our pharmacy operations from our competitors’ models.
Lean and nimble operational strategy: Healthcare is an industry where best practices are continuously evolving. With increasing emphasis on reducing healthcare costs which puts pressure on gross margins, we have identified new trends and opportunities pivoting to business processes better suited to future environments. Additionally, we have focused on diversifying our revenue streams within the pharmacy industry to identify complementary and associated revenue opportunities to keep the operation one step ahead of market forces.
Diversity and cultural awareness: We represent the fabric of the community from which we originate. Our employees consist of diverse faiths, races, ethnic origins, and sexual orientations. This provides us with the unique ability to speak the language that our patients and providers speak. It has also allowed us to be innovative in our approach to healthcare by leveraging the broad perspectives of our team to challenge our methodologies and be responsive to the unique needs of our patients, clients, and customers.
Competitive Positions and Methods of Competition
We compete with national and independent retail drug stores, supermarkets, convenience stores, mail order prescription providers, discount merchandisers, membership clubs, health clinics, provider dispensaries, and internet pharmacies. Competition is based on several factors including store location and convenience, customer service and satisfaction, product selection and variety, and price. Our primary competitive advantages lie in providing personalized service to the patients and facility operators, selectively adding labor saving and compliance enhancing processes and carrying inventory to provide rapid delivery of all pharmaceutical needs, free home delivery services, and data management and analytics.
In the United States, the provision of healthcare services of any kind is highly competitive. Our ability to recruit qualified personnel, attract new institutional and retail clients, and expand the reach of our pharmacy operations relies on our ability to quickly adapt to changing societal attitudes, market pressure, and government regulation.
We face substantial competition within the pharmaceutical healthcare services industry and in the past year have seen even more consolidation. We expect to see this trend continue in the coming year and it is uncertain what effect, if any, these consolidations will have on us or the industry. The industry includes several large, well-capitalized companies with nationwide operations and capabilities in the specialty services and PBM services arenas, such as CVS Caremark, Express Scripts, Humana, Walgreens, Optum, MedImpact Healthcare Systems and many smaller organizations that typically operate on a local or regional basis. In the Specialty Pharmacy Services segment, we compete with several national and regional specialty pharmacy companies that have substantial financial resources and which also provide products and services to the chronically ill, such as CVS Caremark, Express Scripts, Humana, Optum and Walgreens.
Some of our pharmacy service competitors are under common control with, or are owned by, pharmaceutical wholesalers and distributors or retail pharmacy chains and may be better positioned with respect to the cost-effective distribution of pharmaceuticals. Some of our primary competitors, such as Omnicare and Walgreens, have a substantially larger market share than our existing market share. Moreover, some of our competitors may have secured long-term supply or distribution arrangements for prescription pharmaceuticals necessary to treat certain chronic disease states on price terms substantially more favorable than the terms currently available to us. Because of such advantageous pricing, we may be less price competitive than some of these competitors with respect to certain pharmaceutical products.
Intellectual Property
Our success and ability to compete depends in part on our ability to maintain our trade secrets. All of our employees and consultants are subject to non-disclosure agreements and other contractual provisions to establish and maintain our proprietary rights.
Regulatory Matters
Government contract laws and regulations affect how we will do business with our customers, and in some instances, will impose added costs on our business. A violation of specific laws and regulations could result in the imposition of fines and penalties, and the termination of any contracts, or the inability to bid on future contracts. We intend our Orbital Satcom subsidiary to become qualified as a government contractor. Our products may also be subject to regulation by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the Federal Communications Commission that regulate wireless communications.
Government approval is necessary to open any new pharmacy or other health services location.
Effect of Existing or Probable Governmental Regulations
As a participant in the healthcare industry, our operations and relationships are subject to federal and state laws and regulations and enforcement by federal and state governmental agencies. Various federal and state laws and regulations govern the purchase, dispensing or distribution, and management of prescription drugs and related services we provide and may affect us. We believe that we are in substantial compliance with all legal requirements material to our operations.
We conduct ongoing educational programs to inform employees regarding compliance with relevant laws and regulations and maintain a formal reporting procedure to disclose possible violations of these laws and regulations to the Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Professional Licensure. Pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and certain other health care professionals employed by us are required to be individually licensed or certified under applicable state law. We perform searches in criminal, federal and state exclusion lists, and other background checks on employees and are required under state licensure to ensure that our employees possess all necessary licenses and certifications. We believe that our employees comply in all material respects with applicable licensure laws.
State laws require that each pharmacy location be licensed as an in-state or non-resident pharmacy to dispense pharmaceuticals in that state. State controlled substance laws require registration and compliance with state pharmacy licensure, registration or permit standards promulgated by the state’s pharmacy licensing authority. Such standards often address the qualification of an applicant’s personnel, the adequacy of its prescription fulfillment and inventory control practices and the adequacy of its facilities. In general, pharmacy licenses are renewed annually or biennial according to state laws. We believe that our pharmacies’ present and future locations comply with all state licensing laws applicable to these businesses. If our pharmacy locations become subject to additional licensure requirements, are unable to maintain their required licenses or if states place burdensome restrictions or limitations on pharmacies, our ability to operate in the state would be limited, which could have an adverse impact on our business.
Other Laws Affecting Pharmacy Operations. We are subject to federal and state statutes and regulations governing the operation of pharmacies, repackaging of drug products, wholesale distribution, dispensing of controlled substances, medical waste disposal, and clinical trials. Federal and state statutes and regulations govern the labeling, packaging, advertising and adulteration of prescription drugs and the dispensing of controlled substances. Federal and state-controlled substance laws require us to register our pharmacies with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) and to comply with security, record keeping, inventory control, labeling standards and other requirements to dispense controlled substances.
Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Certain provisions of the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act govern the handling and distribution of pharmaceutical products. This law exempts many pharmaceuticals and medical devices from federal labeling and packaging requirements if they are not adulterated or misbranded and are dispensed in accordance with, and pursuant to, a valid prescription. We believe that we comply in all material respects with all applicable requirements.
Anti-Kickback Laws. Subject to certain statutory and regulatory exceptions (including exceptions relating to certain managed care, discount, bona fide employment arrangements, group purchasing and personal services arrangements), the federal “anti-kickback” law prohibits the knowing and willful offer or payment of any remuneration to induce the referral of an individual or the purchase, lease or order (or the arranging for or recommending of the purchase, lease or order) of healthcare items or services paid for in whole or in part by Medicare, Medicaid or other government-funded healthcare programs (including both traditional Medicaid fee-for-service programs as well as Medicaid managed care programs). Violation of the federal anti-kickback statute could subject us to criminal and/or civil penalties including suspension or exclusion from Medicare and Medicaid programs and other government-funded healthcare programs for not less than five years, or the imposition of civil monetary penalties. Exclusion from any of these programs or sanctions of civil monetary penalties could have a material adverse impact on our operations and financial condition.
The federal anti-kickback law has been interpreted broadly by courts, the OIG of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”), and other administrative bodies. Because of the broad scope of those statutes, federal regulations establish certain safe harbors from liability. Safe harbors exist for certain properly reported discounts received from vendors, certain investment interests held by a person or entity, and certain properly disclosed payments made by vendors to group purchasing organizations, as well as for other transactions or relationships. Nonetheless, a practice that does not fall within a safe harbor is not necessarily unlawful but may be subject to scrutiny and challenge. In the absence of an applicable exception or safe harbor, a violation of the statute may occur even if only one purpose of a payment arrangement is to induce patient referrals or purchases. Among the practices that have been identified by the OIG as potentially improper under the statute are certain “product conversion” or “switching” programs in which benefits are given by drug manufacturers to pharmacists or physicians for changing a prescription (or recommending or requesting such a change) from one drug to another. Anti-kickback laws have been cited as a partial basis, along with state consumer protection laws discussed below, for investigations and multi-state settlements relating to financial incentives provided by drug manufacturers to retail pharmacies about such programs.
Several states also have enacted anti-kickback laws that sometimes apply not only to state-sponsored healthcare programs but also to items or services that are paid for by private insurance and self-pay patients. State anti-kickback laws can vary considerably in their applicability and scope and sometimes have fewer statutory and regulatory exceptions than federal law. Management understands the importance of anti-kickback laws and has helped structure our operations in a manner believed to be compliant with these laws.
The Stark Laws. The federal self-referral law, commonly known as the “Stark Law”, prohibits physicians from referring Medicare or Medicaid patients for “designated health services” (which include, among other things, outpatient prescription drugs, durable medical equipment and supplies and home health services) to an entity with which the physician, or an immediate family member of the physician, has a direct or indirect financial relationship, unless the financial relationship is structured to meet an applicable exception. Several states have enacted laws similar to the Stark Law. These state laws may cover all, not just Medicare and Medicaid, patients and exceptions or safe harbors may vary from the Stark Law and vary significantly from state to state. Many federal healthcare reform proposals in the past few years have attempted to expand the Stark Law to cover all patients as well. Possible penalties for violation of the Stark Law include denial of payment, refund of amounts collected in violation of the statute, civil monetary penalties, and program exclusion. Noncompliance with the Stark Law could adversely affect our financial results and operations.
Statutes Prohibiting False Claims and Fraudulent Billing Activities. A range of federal civil and criminal laws target false claims and fraudulent billing activities. One of the most significant is the federal False Claims Act (the “False Claims Act”), which imposes civil penalties for knowingly making or causing to be made false claims to secure a reimbursement from government-sponsored programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid. Investigations or actions commenced under the False Claims Act may be brought either by the government or by private individuals on behalf of the government, through a “whistleblower” or “qui tam” action. The False Claims Act authorizes the payment of a portion of any recovery to the individual suing. Such actions are initially required to be filed under seal pending their review by the Department of Justice. If the government intervenes in the lawsuit and prevails, the whistleblower (or plaintiff filing the initial complaint) may share with the federal government in any settlement or judgment. If the government does not intervene in the lawsuit, the whistleblower plaintiff may pursue the action independently. The False Claims Act generally provides for the imposition of civil penalties and for treble damages, resulting in the possibility of substantial financial penalties for small billing errors that are replicated in many claims, as each individual claim could be deemed to be a separate violation of the False Claims Act.
Some states also have enacted statutes like the False Claims Act which may include criminal penalties, substantial fines, and treble damages. In recent years, federal and state governments have launched several initiatives aimed at uncovering practices that violate false claims or fraudulent billing laws. Under Section 1909 of the Social Security Act, if a state false claim act meets certain requirements as determined by the OIG in consultation with the U.S. Attorney General, the state is entitled to an increase of ten percentage points in the state medical assistance percentage with respect to any amounts recovered under a state action brought under such a law. Some of the larger states in terms of population that have had the OIG review such laws include California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, Tennessee and Texas. We operate in several of these states and submit claims for Medicaid reimbursement to the respective state Medicaid agency. This legislation has led to increased auditing activities by state healthcare regulators. As such, we have been the subject of an increased number of audits. While we believe that we are following Medicaid and Medicare billing rules and requirements, there can be no assurance that regulators would agree with the methodology employed by us in billing for our products and services and a material disagreement between us and these governmental agencies on the way we provide products or services could have a material adverse effect on our business and operations, our financial position, and our results of operations.
The False Claims Act also has been used by the federal government and private whistleblowers to bring enforcement actions under so-called “fraud and abuse” laws like the federal anti-kickback statute and the Stark Law. Such actions are not based on a contention that an entity has submitted claims that are facially invalid. Instead, such actions are based on the theory that when an entity submits a claim, it either expressly or impliedly certifies that it has provided the underlying services in compliance with applicable laws, and therefore that services provided and billed for during an anti-kickback statute or Stark Law violation result in false claims, even if such claims are billed accurately for appropriate and medically necessary services. The availability of the False Claims Act to enforce alleged fraud and abuse violations has increased the potential for such actions to be brought, and which often are costly and time-consuming to defend.
Confidentiality and Privacy. Most of our activities involve the receipt, use and disclosure of confidential medical, pharmacy or other health-related information concerning individual members, including the disclosure of the confidential information to the member’s health benefit plan.
On April 14, 2003, the final regulations issued by HHS, regarding the privacy of individually identifiable health information (the “Privacy Regulations”) pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”) took effect. The Privacy Regulations are designed to protect the medical information of a healthcare patient or health plan enrollee that could be used to identify the individual.
The requirements imposed by the Privacy Regulations, the Transactions Standards, and the Security Standards are extensive and can require substantial cost and effort to assess and implement. We have taken and will continue to take steps that we believe are reasonable to ensure that our policies and procedures are following the Privacy Regulations, the Transactions Standards, and the Security Standards. The requirements imposed by HIPAA have increased our burden and costs of regulatory compliance, altered our reporting to Plan Sponsors and reduced the amount of information we can use or disclose if members do not authorize such uses or disclosures.
Medicare Part D. The Medicare Part D program, which makes prescription drug coverage available to eligible Medicare beneficiaries, regulates various aspects of the provision of Medicare drug coverage, including enrollment, formularies, pharmacy networks, marketing, and claims processing. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) imposed restrictions and consent requirements for automatic prescription delivery programs, and further limited the circumstances under which Medicare Part D plans may recoup payments to pharmacies for claims that are subsequently determined not payable under Medicare Part D. CMS sanctions for non-compliance may include suspension of enrollment and even termination from the program.
The Medicare Part D program has undergone significant legislative and regulatory changes since its inception. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 contains several provisions that could have the effect of reducing the prices we can charge and the reimbursement we receive for the drugs we dispense, thereby reducing our profitability, and could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. These provisions include the establishment of a Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program, which requires the government to negotiate and set a “maximum fair price” for select high-expenditure drugs covered under Medicare Part D (starting in 2026) and Part B (starting in 2028), and the implementation of changes to Medicare Part D benefits designed to limit patient out-of-pocket drug costs and shift program liabilities from patients to other stakeholders, including health plans, manufacturers and the government.
Medicare Part D continues to attract a high degree of legislative and regulatory scrutiny, and applicable government rules and regulations continue to evolve. For example, CMS may issue regulations that limit the ability of Medicare Part D plans to establish preferred pharmacy networks.
Any Willing Provider Statutes and Narrow Networks. Any Willing Provider (“AWP”) statutes are laws that require health insurance carriers to permit providers to join those networks so long as the provider is willing to accept the terms and conditions of that carrier’s plan. Numerous states have some form of AWP law, though nearly all prohibit insurance carriers from limiting membership within their provider networks based on geography or other characteristics. The laws in each state addressing the legality of narrow networks vary widely. Some laws address plans only while other laws address non-insurers, like a PBM. Some laws address all types of health benefits while other laws only address a single type of benefit, like pharmacy. The risk to a pharmacy would be in those states that do not have an applicable AWP statute, a provider can be excluded from a narrow network.
While the offering of narrow and preferred networks is common across the country, there have been many lawsuits challenging the use of these type of arrangements due to the fact that they exclude certain providers from participating. The outcome of the challenges has varied, primarily based upon the interpretation of the state laws under which the challenges are made. This is an evolving area of law. Given the intense scrutiny of drug pricing and arrangements, and the ongoing lawsuits that are being filed in response to narrow networks, there remains risk in developing narrow networks, which will vary by state, depending on each state’s laws and legal precedent. Additionally, state laws are subject to change at any time, resulting in uncertainty for pharmacy operations in a given state.
Health Reform Legislation. Congress passed major health reform legislation, including the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“ACA”), as amended by the Healthcare and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (the “Health Reform Laws”), which enacted a number of significant healthcare reforms. There have been executive, judicial, and Congressional challenges to certain aspects of the Health Reform Laws. For instance, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 included a provision that repealed the tax-based shared responsibility payment imposed by the Health Reform Laws on certain individuals who fail to maintain qualifying health coverage for all or part of a year that is commonly referred to as the “individual mandate.” On June 17, 2021, the Supreme Court dismissed a challenge on procedural grounds that argued the ACA is unconstitutional in its entirety because the “individual mandate” was repealed by Congress. Further, on August 16, 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) was signed into law, which among other things, extends enhanced subsidies for individuals purchasing health insurance coverage in ACA marketplaces through plan year 2025. The IRA also eliminates the “donut hole” under the Medicare Part D program beginning in 2025 by significantly lowering the beneficiary maximum out-of-pocket cost and creating a new manufacturer discount program. It is possible that the ACA will be subject to judicial or Congressional challenges in the future. It is unclear how any additional healthcare reform measures of the second Trump administration will impact the ACA and our business.
Costs and Effects of Compliance with Environmental Laws
Not applicable.
Employees
As of December 10, 2025, we had 117 full-time employees and 9 part-time employees.
Sources and Availability of Components and Raw Materials
Certain materials and equipment for our products are custom-made for those products and are dependent upon either a single or limited number of suppliers. A supplier failure could cause delays in product delivery if another supplier cannot be found promptly, or if the quality of such replacement supplier’s components is inferior or unacceptable.
We obtain pharmaceutical and other products from wholesale drug distributors. We have maintained a relationship with a primary supplier that accounted for 98% of pharmaceutical purchases for the year ended December 31, 2024, and several supplementary suppliers. Our primary supplier for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was McKesson. The loss of a supplier could adversely affect our business if alternate sources of drug supply are unavailable. We believe that our relationships with our suppliers, overall, are good, and that there are alternative suppliers in the marketplace.
Our Risks and History of Losses
Our ability to achieve our mission and execute our strategies is subject to certain challenges, risks and uncertainties, including, among others:
|
● |
Our ability to obtain sufficient funding to expand our business and respond to business opportunities |
|
|
● |
Our ability to acquire new customers or retain existing customers in a cost-effective manner |
|
|
● |
Our ability to successfully improve our production efficiencies and economies of scale |
|
|
● |
Our ability to manage our supply chain to continue to satisfy our future operation needs |
|
|
● |
Our ability to retain our market share in our industry |
We have incurred net losses since our inception. For the years ended December 31, 2024, and 2023, we have incurred net losses of approximately $23.1 million and $12.4 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2024, we had an accumulated deficit of approximately $49.0 million. We expect to incur additional losses prior to recording sufficient revenue from our operations as a result of the costs associated with expanding and seeking additional sources of revenue to our current revenue base.
Corporate Information
NextPlat Corp, formerly Orbsat Corp, is a Nevada corporation and was originally incorporated in Florida in 1997. Our headquarters and principal executive offices are located at 400 Ansin Blvd, Suite A, Hallandale Beach, FL 33009. Our telephone number is (305) 560-5381 and our corporate website is www.nextplat.com.
Risks Associated With Our Company
Any investment in the shares is speculative and involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 20 of this prospectus and the other information included and incorporated by reference in this prospectus for a discussion of factors you should carefully consider before investing in our shares. If any of these risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and prospects would likely be materially and adversely affected. As a result, the trading price of our Common Stock would likely decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment.
Recent Developments
Business Acquisition of Progressive Care, LLC (formerly Progressive Care Inc.)
On April 12, 2024, NextPlat entered into a Merger Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (the “Merger Agreement”) with Progressive Care Inc, and Progressive Care LLC, a Nevada limited liability company and a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of NextPlat (“Merger Sub”). Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, upon the approval of NextPlat’s and Progressive Care’s shareholders, Progressive Care would merge with and into Merger Sub (the “Merger”), with Merger Sub being the surviving entity of the Merger. The result of which being that Progressive Care would become a wholly-owned subsidiary of NextPlat.
On September 13, 2024, the shareholders of each of NextPlat and Progressive Care approved the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby.
On October 1, 2024, at 12:01 Eastern time, the Merger became effective and Progressive Care merged with and into Mergers Sub and thereby became a wholly owned subsidiary of NextPlat. In connection with the Merger, each share of Progressive Care common stock that was issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger was converted into 1.4865 shares of NextPlat common stock, and each warrant to purchase Progressive Care common stock that was outstanding and unexercised immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger automatically converted into a warrant to purchase shares of NextPlat common stock with each such warrant having and being subject to the same terms and conditions (including vesting and exercisability terms) as were applicable to such Progressive Care warrant immediately before the effective time.
Business Acquisition of Outfitter Satellite, Inc.
On March 25, 2024, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with James T. McKinley, pursuant to which the Company agreed to purchase all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Outfitter Satellite, Inc. (“Outfitter”). The closing of the transaction occurred on April 1, 2024.
Outfitter provides consumers, commercial and government customers, with advanced satellite-based connectivity solutions from leading brands, including Iridium, Inmarsat and Globalstar.
Company Information
Our principal executive offices are located at 400 Ansin Blvd, Suite A, Hallandale Beach, FL 33009. Our telephone number is (305) 560-5381. The Company’s website address is www.nextplat.com. Information contained in, or accessible through, our website does not constitute part of this prospectus and inclusions of our website address in this prospectus are inactive textual references only.
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before investing in our securities, you should consider carefully the risks and uncertainties discussed under “Risk Factors” in our latest annual report on Form 10-K and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. You should carefully consider each of the following risks, together with all other information set forth in this prospectus, including the financial statements and the related notes, before making a decision to buy our securities. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business could be harmed. In that case, the trading price of our securities could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.
Risks Related to this Offering
We have broad discretion in how we use the proceeds of this offering and may not use these proceeds effectively, which could affect our results of operations and cause our common stock to decline.
We will have considerable discretion in the application of the net proceeds of this offering. We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for working capital and general corporate purposes. As a result, investors will be relying upon management’s judgment with only limited information about our specific intentions for the use of the net proceeds of this offering. We may use the net proceeds for purposes that do not yield a significant return or any return at all for our stockholders. In addition, pending their use, we may invest the net proceeds from this offering in a manner that does not produce income or that loses value.
If our stock price fluctuates after the offering, you could lose a significant part of your investment.
The market price of our common stock could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to, among other things, the risk factors described in this prospectus, and other factors beyond our control, such as fluctuations in the valuation of companies perceived by investors to be comparable to us. Furthermore, the stock markets have experienced price and volume fluctuations that have affected and continue to affect the market prices of equity securities of many companies. These fluctuations often have been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of those companies. These broad market and industry fluctuations, as well as general economic, political, and market conditions, such as recessions, interest rate changes or international currency fluctuations, may negatively affect the market price of our common stock. In the past, many companies that have experienced volatility in the market price of their stock have been subject to securities class action litigation. We may be the target of this type of litigation in the future. Securities litigation against us could result in substantial costs and divert our management’s attention from other business concerns, which could seriously harm our business.
Risks Related to Our Securities
You may experience dilution of your ownership interests because of the future issuance of additional shares of our common or preferred stock or other securities that are convertible into or exercisable for our common or preferred stock.
We are authorized to issue an aggregate of 50,000,000 shares of common stock and 3,333,333 shares of “blank check” preferred stock. In the future, we may issue our authorized but previously unissued equity securities, resulting in the dilution of the ownership interests of our present stockholders. We may issue additional shares of our common stock or other securities that are convertible into or exercisable for our common stock in connection with hiring or retaining employees, future acquisitions, future sales of our securities for capital raising purposes, or for other business purposes. The future issuance of any such additional shares of our common stock may create downward pressure on the trading price of the common stock.
You will experience future dilution because of future equity offerings.
We may in the future offer additional shares of our common stock or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock. Although no assurances can be given that we will consummate a financing, in the event we do, or in the event we sell shares of common stock or other securities convertible into shares of our common stock in the future, additional and substantial dilution will occur. In addition, investors purchasing shares or other securities in the future could have rights superior to our current stockholders.
We do not anticipate paying dividends on our common stock, and investors may lose the entire amount of their investment.
Cash dividends have never been declared or paid on our common stock, and we do not anticipate such a declaration or payment in the foreseeable future. We expect to use future earnings, if any, to fund business growth. Therefore, stockholders will not receive any funds absent a sale of their shares of common stock. If we do not pay dividends, our common stock may be less valuable because a return on your investment will only occur if our stock price appreciates. We cannot assure stockholders of a positive return on their investment when they sell their shares, nor can we assure that stockholders will not lose the entire amount of their investment.
The ability of our Board of Directors to issue additional stock may prevent or make certain transactions more difficult, including a sale or merger of the Company.
Our Board of Directors is authorized to issue up to 3,333,333 shares of preferred stock with powers, rights and preferences designated by it. Shares of voting or convertible preferred stock could be issued, or rights to purchase such shares could be issued, to create voting impediments or to frustrate persons seeking to affect a takeover or otherwise gain control of the Company. The ability of the Board of Directors to issue such additional shares of preferred stock, with rights and preferences it deems advisable, could discourage an attempt by a party to acquire control of the Company by tender offer or other means. Such issuances could therefore deprive stockholders of benefits that could result from such an attempt, such as the realization of a premium over the market price for their shares in a tender offer or the temporary increase in market price that such an attempt could cause. Moreover, the issuance of such additional shares of preferred stock to persons friendly to the Board of Directors could make it more difficult to remove incumbent officers and directors from office even if such change were to be favorable to stockholders generally.
Our common stock and warrants are thinly traded and there can be no assurance that a more active public market will ever develop. Failure to develop or maintain an active trading market could negatively affect the value of our common stock and make it difficult or impossible for you to sell your shares.
Our common stock and Warrants are listed on Nasdaq but there can be no assurance that an active trading market will develop for our shares and Warrants. Should we fail to satisfy the Nasdaq continued listing standards, the trading price of our common stock could suffer and the trading market for our common stock and warrants may be less liquid, and our common stock price and warrant price may be subject to increased volatility, making it difficult or impossible to sell shares of our common stock and warrants.
The provisions of our Nasdaq listed Warrants could discourage the acquisition of us by a third party.
Certain provisions of our Nasdaq listed Warrants could make it more difficult or expensive for a third party to acquire us. The Nasdaq listed Warrants prohibit us from engaging in certain transactions constituting “fundamental transactions” unless, among other things, the surviving entity assumes our obligations under the warrants. These and other provisions of the Nasdaq listed Warrants could prevent or deter a third party from acquiring us even where the acquisition could be beneficial to you.
There can be no assurance that we will be able to comply with the continued listing standards of Nasdaq, a failure of which could result in a de-listing of our common stock.
The Nasdaq Capital Market requires that the trading price of its listed stocks remain above one dollar in order for the stock to remain listed. If a listed stock trades below one dollar for more than 30 consecutive trading days, then it is subject to delisting from Nasdaq. In addition, to maintain a listing on Nasdaq, we must satisfy minimum financial and other continued listing requirements and standards, including those regarding director independence and independent committee requirements, minimum stockholders’ equity, and certain corporate governance requirements. If we are unable to satisfy these requirements or standards, we could be subject to delisting, which would have a negative effect on the price of our common stock and would impair your ability to sell or purchase our common stock when you wish to do so. In the event of a delisting, we would expect to take actions to restore our compliance with the listing requirements, but we can provide no assurance that any such action taken by us would allow our common stock to become listed again, stabilize the market price or improve the liquidity of our common stock, prevent our common stock from dropping below the minimum bid price requirement, or prevent future non-compliance with the listing requirements.
Our stock price may be volatile.
The market price of our common stock is likely to be highly volatile and could fluctuate widely in price in response to various factors, many of which are beyond our control, including the following:
|
● |
changes in our industry; |
|
|
● |
competitive pricing pressures; |
|
|
● |
our ability to obtain working capital financing; |
|
|
● |
additions or departures of key personnel; |
|
|
● |
conversions from preferred stock to common stock; |
|
|
● |
sales of our common and preferred stock; |
|
|
● |
our ability to execute our business plan; |
|
|
● |
operating results that fall below expectations; |
|
|
● |
loss of any strategic relationship; |
|
|
● |
regulatory developments; and |
|
|
● |
economic and other external factors. |
In addition, the securities markets have from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These market fluctuations may also materially and adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
Offers or availability for sale of a substantial number of shares of our common stock may cause the price of our common stock to decline.
If our stockholders sell substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market, including upon the expiration of any statutory holding period under Rule 144, or issued upon the conversion of preferred stock or exercise of warrants, it could create a circumstance commonly referred to as an “overhang” and in anticipation of which the market price of our common stock could fall. The existence of an overhang, whether sales have occurred or are occurring, also could make more difficult our ability to raise additional financing through the sale of equity or equity-related securities in the future at a time and price that we deem reasonable or appropriate.
If the current United States/China tariff environment persists, it will have an immediate adverse impact on the Company’s business, financial prospects, results of operations, and financial condition, and will materially and adversely impact the ability of the Company to be profitable.
Retaliatory tariffs imposed by China in response to tariffs recently enacted by the United States expose us to significant and ongoing trade-policy risk that could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and prospects. Although the United States and China have at various points engaged in negotiations aimed at easing bilateral trade tensions, the Chinese government continues to maintain elevated tariff rates and other nontariff barriers on a wide range of U.S.-origin goods, including products in the same categories as our offerings. The retaliatory tariffs create uncertainty that complicates our sales forecasting, inventory management, and production planning for the Chinese market. In addition, Chinese authorities possess broad discretion to increase, decrease, or suspend tariff rates with little advance notice, and they may target specific U.S. companies or industries for additional retaliatory action in response to geopolitical developments wholly unrelated to our performance or conduct.
The Company has paused certain initiatives within its e-Commerce development program which was launched in April 2023 to help U.S.-based businesses reach the vast Chinese consumer market through major online platforms like Alibaba’s Tmall. This includes the introduction of a new line of vitamins and supplements under the Florida Sunshine brand name, since these offerings would be subject to the increased tariffs and would face significant import costs which Management believes will reduce its ability to compete with locally produced products. The Company is still reviewing opportunities to sell its Florida Sunshine products in other markets.
The Company intends to continue selling products manufactured by OPKO Health Europe, a subsidiary of OPKO Health, Inc., in China including an array of nutraceuticals and supplements as well as adding products for pet care, all of which are not produced in the United States and as such, are not subject to additional tariffs.
We cannot predict whether the current trade environment will persist or if new quotas, duties, taxes, tariffs, exchange controls, current or future “trade wars”, or other restrictions will be imposed by the U.S. and China upon the import or export of our products and the commodities and components used to manufacture our products, or what effect any of these actions would have on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.
NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Some of the information in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, and the documents we incorporate by reference contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. You should not rely on forward-looking statements in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, or the documents we incorporate by reference. Forward-looking statements typically are identified by use of terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “plan,” “expect,” “future,” “intend,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” and similar words, although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently. This prospectus, any prospectus supplement, and the documents we incorporate by reference may also contain forward-looking statements attributed to third parties relating to their estimates regarding the growth of our markets. All forward-looking statements address matters that involve risks and uncertainties, and there are many important risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our actual results, as well as those of the markets we serve, levels of activity, performance, achievements and prospects to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, and the documents we incorporate by reference. You should also consider carefully the statements under “Risk Factors” and other sections of this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, and the documents we incorporate by reference, which address additional facts that could cause our actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. We caution investors not to place significant reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, and the documents we incorporate by reference. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.
Our capitalization will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement or in a report on Form 8-K subsequently furnished to the SEC and specifically incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
Except as otherwise provided in a prospectus supplement, we will use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities covered by this prospectus for working capital and general corporate purposes. When a particular series of securities is offered, the prospectus supplement relating to that offering will set forth our intended use of the net proceeds received from the sale of those securities.
We may issue from time to time, in one or more offerings, common stock, preferred stock, debt securities and warrants. We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement a description of debt securities and warrants, and, in certain cases, the shares that may be offered under this prospectus. The terms of the offering of securities, the initial offering price and the net proceeds to us will be contained in the prospectus supplement, and other offering material, relating to such offer. The supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus and any supplement before you invest in any of our securities.
Description of Common Stock
A summary of our Common Stock is set forth as Exhibit 4.1 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and is incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
Description of Preferred Stock
We may offer shares of our preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, in one or more series. Our board of directors or a committee designated by the board will determine the dividend, voting, conversion and other rights of the series of shares of preferred stock being offered. Each series of preferred stock will be more fully described in the particular prospectus supplement that will accompany this prospectus, including redemption provisions, rights in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or the winding up, voting rights and rights to convert into common stock.
Description of Debt Securities
We may issue series of debt securities, which may include debt securities exchangeable for or convertible into shares of our common stock or preferred stock. When we offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, we will describe the specific terms of that series in a supplement to this prospectus. The following description of debt securities will apply to the debt securities offered by this prospectus unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement for a particular series of debt securities may specify different or additional terms.
The debt securities offered by this prospectus may be secured or unsecured, and may be senior debt securities, senior subordinated debt securities or subordinated debt securities. The debt securities offered by this prospectus may be issued under an indenture between us and the trustee under the indenture. The indenture may be qualified under, subject to, and governed by, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. We have summarized selected portions of the indenture below. The summary is not complete. The form of the indenture has been incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement on Form S-3, of which this prospectus is a part, and you should read the indenture for provisions that may be important to you.
The terms of each series of debt securities will be established by or pursuant to a resolution of our board of directors and detailed or determined in the manner provided in a board of directors’ resolution, an officers’ certificate and by a supplemental indenture. The particular terms of each series of debt securities will be described in a prospectus supplement relating to the series, including any pricing supplement.
We may issue any amount of debt securities under the indenture, which may be in one or more series with the same or different maturities, at par, at a premium or at a discount. We will set forth in a prospectus supplement, including any related pricing supplement, relating to any series of debt securities being offered, the initial offering price, the aggregate principal amount offered and the terms of the debt securities, including, among other things, the following:
|
● |
the title of the debt securities; |
|
|
● |
the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount) at which we will sell the debt securities; |
|
|
● |
any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities; |
|
|
● |
the date or dates on which we will repay the principal on the debt securities and the right, if any, to extend the maturity of the debt securities; |
|
● |
the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or the method used to determine the rate or rates (including any commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index) at which the debt securities will bear interest, the date or dates from which interest will accrue, the date or dates on which interest will be payable and any regular record date for any interest payment date; |
|
|
● |
the place or places where the principal of, premium, and interest on the debt securities will be payable, and where the debt securities of the series that are convertible or exchangeable may be surrendered for conversion or exchange; |
|
|
● |
any obligation or right we have to redeem the debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of holders of the debt securities or at our option, and the terms and conditions upon which we are obligated to or may redeem the debt securities; |
|
|
● |
any obligation we have to repurchase the debt securities at the option of the holders of debt securities, the dates on which and the price or prices at which we will repurchase the debt securities and other detailed terms and provisions of these repurchase obligations; |
|
|
● |
the denominations in which the debt securities will be issued; |
|
|
● |
whether the debt securities will be issued in the form of certificated debt securities or global debt securities; |
|
|
● |
the portion of principal amount of the debt securities payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity date, if other than the principal amount; |
|
|
● |
the currency of denomination of the debt securities; |
|
|
● |
the designation of the currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of principal of, premium and interest on the debt securities will be made; |
|
|
● |
if payments of principal of, premium or interest on, the debt securities will be made in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which the debt securities are denominated, the manner in which the exchange rate with respect to these payments will be determined; |
|
● |
the manner in which the amounts of payment of principal of, premium or interest on, the debt securities will be determined, if these amounts may be determined by reference to an index based on a currency or currencies other than that in which the debt securities are denominated or designated to be payable or by reference to a commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index; |
|
|
● |
any provisions relating to any security provided for the debt securities; |
|
|
● |
any addition to or change in the events of default described in the indenture with respect to the debt securities and any change in the acceleration provisions described in the indenture with respect to the debt securities; |
|
|
● |
any addition to or change in the covenants described in the indenture with respect to the debt securities; |
|
|
● |
whether the debt securities will be senior or subordinated and any applicable subordination provisions; |
|
|
● |
a discussion of any material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the debt securities; |
|
|
● |
any other terms of the debt securities, which may modify any provisions of the indenture as it applies to that series; and |
|
|
● |
any depositaries, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to the debt securities. |
We may issue debt securities that are exchangeable for and/or convertible into shares. The terms, if any, on which the debt securities may be exchanged and/or converted will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Such terms may include provisions for exchange or conversion, which can be mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option, and the manner in which the number of shares or other securities to be received by the holders of debt securities would be calculated.
We may issue debt securities that provide for an amount less than their stated principal amount to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of their maturity pursuant to the terms of the indenture. We will provide you with information on the U.S. federal income tax considerations, and other special considerations applicable to any of these debt securities, in the applicable prospectus supplement. If we denominate the purchase price of any of the debt securities in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, or if the principal of and any premium and interest on any series of debt securities is payable in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, we will provide you with information on the restrictions, elections, specific terms and other information with respect to that issue of debt securities and such foreign currency or currencies or foreign currency unit or units in the applicable prospectus supplement.
We may issue debt securities of a series in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary identified in the prospectus supplement. Global securities will be issued in registered form and in either temporary or definitive form. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual debt securities, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depositary for such global security to a nominee of such depositary or by a nominee of such depositary to such depositary or another nominee of such depositary or by such depositary or any such nominee to a successor of such depositary or a nominee of such successor. The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any debt securities of a series and the rights of and limitations upon owners of beneficial interests in a global security will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York, unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Description of Warrants
We may issue and offer warrants under the material terms and conditions described in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. The accompanying prospectus supplement may add, update or change the terms and conditions of the warrants as described in this prospectus.
General
We may issue warrants to purchase our shares, or debt securities. Warrants may be issued independently or together with any securities and may be attached to or separate from those securities. The warrants will be issued under warrant agreements to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent, all of which will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants we are offering. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not have any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants.
Equity Warrants
Each equity warrant issued by us will entitle its holder to purchase the equity securities designated at an exercise price set forth in, or to be determinable as set forth in, the related prospectus supplement. Equity warrants may be issued separately or together with equity securities.
The equity warrants are to be issued under equity warrant agreements to be entered into between us and one or more banks or trust companies, as equity warrant agent, as will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement and this prospectus.
The particular terms of the equity warrants, the equity warrant agreements relating to the equity warrants and the equity warrant certificates representing the equity warrants will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, including, as applicable:
|
● |
the title of the equity warrants; |
|
|
● |
the initial offering price; |
|
|
● |
the aggregate amount of equity warrants and the aggregate amount of equity securities purchasable upon exercise of the equity warrants; |
|
|
● |
the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable; |
|
|
● |
if applicable, the designation and terms of the equity securities with which the equity warrants are issued, and the amount of equity warrants issued with each equity security; |
|
|
● |
the date, if any, on and after which the equity warrants and the related equity security will be separately transferable; |
|
|
● |
if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of the equity warrants that may be exercised at any one time; |
|
|
● |
the date on which the right to exercise the equity warrants will commence and the date on which the right will expire; |
|
|
● |
if applicable, a discussion of United States federal income tax, accounting or other considerations applicable to the equity warrants; |
|
|
● |
anti-dilution provisions of the equity warrants, if any; |
|
|
● |
redemption or call provisions, if any, applicable to the equity warrants; and |
|
|
● |
any additional terms of the equity warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the equity warrants. |
Holders of equity warrants will not be entitled, solely by virtue of being holders, to vote, to consent, to receive dividends, to receive notice as shareholders with respect to any meeting of shareholders for the election of directors or any other matters, or to exercise any rights whatsoever as a holder of the equity securities purchasable upon exercise of the equity warrants.
Debt Warrants
Each debt warrant issued by us will entitle its holder to purchase the debt securities designated at an exercise price set forth in, or to be determinable as set forth in, the related prospectus supplement. Debt warrants may be issued separately or together with debt securities.
The debt warrants are to be issued under debt warrant agreements to be entered into between us, and one or more banks or trust companies, as debt warrant agent, as will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement and this prospectus. The particular terms of each issue of debt warrants, the debt warrant agreement relating to the debt warrants and the debt warrant certificates representing debt warrants will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, including, as applicable:
|
● |
the title of the debt warrants; |
|
|
● |
the initial offering price; |
|
|
● |
the title, aggregate principal amount and terms of the debt securities purchasable upon exercise of the debt warrants; |
|
|
● |
the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable; |
|
|
● |
the title and terms of any related debt securities with which the debt warrants are issued and the amount of the debt warrants issued with each debt security; |
|
|
● |
the date, if any, on and after which the debt warrants and the related debt securities will be separately transferable; |
|
|
● |
the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of each debt warrant and the price at which that principal amount of debt securities may be purchased upon exercise of each debt warrant; |
|
● |
if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of warrants that may be exercised at any one time; |
|
|
● |
the date on which the right to exercise the debt warrants will commence and the date on which the right will expire; |
|
|
● |
if applicable, a discussion of United States federal income tax, accounting or other considerations applicable to the debt warrants; |
|
|
● |
whether the debt warrants represented by the debt warrant certificates will be issued in registered or bearer form, and, if registered, where they may be transferred and registered; |
|
|
● |
anti-dilution provisions of the debt warrants, if any; |
|
|
● |
redemption or call provisions, if any, applicable to the debt warrants; and |
|
|
● |
any additional terms of the debt warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the debt warrants. |
Debt warrant certificates will be exchangeable for new debt warrant certificates of different denominations and, if in registered form, may be presented for registration of transfer, and debt warrants may be exercised at the corporate trust office of the debt warrant agent or any other office indicated in the related prospectus supplement. Before the exercise of debt warrants, holders of debt warrants will not be entitled to payments of principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the debt securities purchasable upon exercise of the debt warrants, or to enforce any of the covenants in the indentures governing such debt securities.
Description of Units
We may issue, in one or more series, units comprised of shares of our common stock or preferred stock, warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, debt securities or any combination of those securities. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security.
We may evidence units by unit certificates that we issue under a separate agreement. We may issue the units under a unit agreement between us and one or more unit agents. If we elect to enter into a unit agreement with a unit agent, the unit agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the units and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any registered holders of units or beneficial owners of units. We will indicate the name and address and other information regarding the unit agent in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of units if we elect to use a unit agent.
We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of units being offered, including: (i) the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately; (ii) any provisions of the governing unit agreement that differ from those described herein; and (iii) any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units.
The other provisions regarding our common stock, preferred stock, warrants and debt securities as described in this section will apply to each unit to the extent such unit consists of shares of our common stock, preferred stock, warrants and/or debt securities.
CERTAIN INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
Material income tax consequences relating to the purchase, ownership and disposition of any of the securities offered by this prospectus will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the offering of those securities.
We may sell or distribute the securities offered by this prospectus, from time to time, in one or more offerings, as follows:
|
● |
through agents; |
|
|
● |
to dealers or underwriters for resale; |
|
|
● |
directly to investors; or |
|
|
● |
through a combination of any of these methods of sale. |
We will set forth in a prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus the terms of the offering of securities, including:
|
● |
the name or names of any agents or underwriters; |
|
|
● |
the purchase price of the securities being offered and the proceeds we will receive from the sale; |
|
|
● |
any over-allotment options under which underwriters may purchase additional securities from us; |
|
|
● |
any agency fees or underwriting discounts and other items constituting agents’ or underwriters’ compensation; |
|
|
● |
the public offering price; |
|
|
● |
any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and |
|
|
● |
any securities exchanges on which such securities may be listed. |
If we use underwriters for a sale of securities, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to the conditions set forth in the applicable underwriting agreement. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the securities of the series offered if they purchase any of the securities of that series. We may change from time to time any public offering price and any discounts or concessions the underwriters allow or reallow or pay to dealers. We may use underwriters with whom we have a material relationship. We will describe in a prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus naming the underwriter and the nature of any such relationship.
In compliance with the guidelines of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., or FINRA, the maximum discount or commission to be received by any FINRA member or independent broker-dealer may not exceed 8% of the aggregate amount of the securities offered pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement.
We may designate agents who agree to use their reasonable efforts to solicit purchases for the period of their appointment or to sell securities on a continuing basis.
We may also sell securities directly to one or more purchasers without using underwriters or agents.
Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the securities may be underwriters as defined in the Securities Act, and any discounts or commissions they receive from us and any profit on their resale of the securities may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. We will identify in the applicable prospectus supplement or a free writing prospectus any underwriters, dealers or agents and will describe their compensation. We may have agreements with the underwriters, dealers and agents to indemnity them against specified civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of their businesses.
We will bear all costs, expenses and fees in connection with the registration of the securities as well as the expenses of all commissions and discounts, if any, attributable to the sales of securities by us.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus, each class or series of securities will be a new issue with no established trading market, other than our shares, which are listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market. We may elect to list any other class or series of securities on any exchange, but we are not obligated to do so. It is possible that one or more underwriters may make a market in a class or series of securities, but the underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot give any assurance as to the liquidity of the trading market for any of the securities.
In connection with an offering, an underwriter may purchase and sell securities in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover positions created by short sales. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of securities than they are required to purchase in the offering. “Covered” short sales are sales made in an amount not greater than the underwriters’ option to purchase additional securities, if any, from us in the offering. If the underwriters have an over-allotment option to purchase additional securities from us, the underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising their over-allotment option or purchasing securities in the open market. In determining the source of securities to close out the covered short position, the underwriters may consider, among other things, the price of securities available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase securities through the over-allotment option. “Naked” short sales are any sales in excess of such option or where the underwriters do not have an over-allotment option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing securities in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the securities in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering.
Accordingly, to cover these short sales positions or to otherwise stabilize or maintain the price of the securities, the underwriters may bid for or purchase securities in the open market and may impose penalty bids. If penalty bids are imposed, selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other broker-dealers participating in the offering are reclaimed if securities previously distributed in the offering are repurchased, whether in connection with stabilization transactions or otherwise. The effect of these transactions may be to stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. The impositions of a penalty bid may also affect the price of the securities to the extent that it discourages resale of the securities. The magnitude or effect of any stabilization or other transactions is uncertain. These transactions may be effected on The Nasdaq Capital Market or otherwise and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
We may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement or a post-effective amendment.
In addition, we may loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities short using this prospectus. Such financial institution or third party may transfer its economic short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a concurrent offering of other securities offered by this prospectus or otherwise.
The validity of the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us by ArentFox Schiff LLP, Washington, DC.
The audited financial statements incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement have been so incorporated by reference in reliance upon the report of RBSM LLP, independent registered public accountants, upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
PROSPECTUS
NextPlat Corp
Up to $300,000,000 of
Common Stock,
Preferred Stock,
Debt Securities,
Warrants,
Units
PROSPECTUS
[____], 2025
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. No dealer, salesperson or other person is authorized to give information that is not contained in this prospectus. This prospectus is not an offer to sell nor is it seeking an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. The information contained in this prospectus is correct only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of the delivery of this prospectus or the sale of these securities.
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
We will incur a SEC registration fee of $41,430 and will also incur printing costs, legal fees and expenses, accounting fees and expenses, and others in connection with the offering of securities. Expenses of any of the securities offered by this prospectus will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement(s) relating to the offering of those securities.
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Neither our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (as amended) nor our Amended and Restated Bylaws prevent us from indemnifying our officers, directors and agents to the extent permitted under the Nevada Revised Statutes. NRS Section 78.7502, provides that a corporation may indemnify any director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation against expenses, including fees, actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with any defense to the extent that a director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to Section 78.7502(1) or 78.7502(2), or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein.
NRS 78.7502(1) provides that a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, except an action by or in the right of the corporation, by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses, including fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the action, suit or proceeding if he: (a) is not liable pursuant to NRS 78.138; or (b) acted in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.
NRS Section 78.7502(2) provides that a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses, including amounts paid in settlement and fees actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of the action or suit if he: (a) is not liable pursuant to NRS 78.138; or (b) acted in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation. Indemnification may not be made for any claim, issue or matter as to which such a person has been adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction, after exhaustion of all appeals there from, to be liable to the corporation or for amounts paid in settlement to the corporation, unless and only to the extent that the court in which the action or suit was brought or other court of competent jurisdiction determines upon application that in view of all the circumstances of the case, the person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses as the court deems proper.
NRS Section 78.747 provides that except as otherwise provided by specific statute, no director or officer of a corporation is individually liable for a debt or liability of the corporation, unless the director or officer acts as the alter ego of the corporation. The court as a matter of law must determine the question of whether a director or officer acts as the alter ego of a corporation.
Our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (as amended) provides that we will indemnify our directors, officers, employees and agents to the extent and in the manner permitted by the provisions of the NRS, as amended from time to time, subject to any permissible expansion or limitation of such indemnification, as may be set forth in any stockholders’ or directors’ resolution or by contract. Any repeal or modification of these provisions approved by our stockholders will be prospective only and will not adversely affect any limitation on the liability of any of our directors or officers existing as of the time of such repeal or modification. We are also permitted to apply for insurance on behalf of any director, officer, employee or other agent for liability arising out of his actions, whether or not the NRS would permit indemnification.
Our Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that a director or officer of the Company shall have no personal liability to the Company or its stockholders for damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer, except for damages for breach of fiduciary duty resulting from (a) acts or omissions which involve intentional misconduct, fraud, or a knowing violation of law, or (b) the payment of dividends in violation of section 78.3900 of the NRS as it may from time to time be amended or any successor provision thereto.
Item 16. Exhibits
|
Exhibit |
Title |
|
|
3.1 |
||
|
3.2 |
||
|
3.3 |
||
|
3.4 |
||
|
3.5 |
||
|
3.6 |
||
|
3.7 |
||
|
4.1 |
||
|
4.2* |
Form of Debt Security |
|
|
4.3* |
Form of Warrant |
|
|
4.4* |
Form of Warrant Agreement |
|
|
4.5* |
Form of Certificate of Designations for Preferred Stock |
|
|
4.6* |
Form of Preferred Stock Certificate |
|
|
4.7* |
Form of Unit Agreement and Certificate |
|
|
5.1 |
||
|
23.1 |
||
|
23.2 |
||
|
24.1 |
Power of Attorney (included in the signature page to this Registration Statement) |
|
|
25.1* |
Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of the Trustee under the Indenture. |
|
|
107 |
* To be filed as an exhibit to a post-effective amendment to this registration statement or as an exhibit to a report filed or furnished with the SEC and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 17. Undertakings
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”);
(ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and
(iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;
Provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 or Form F-3 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:
(i) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which the prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.
(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
(b) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized, in Hallandale Beach, State of Florida, on December 17, 2025.
|
NEXTPLAT CORP |
|
|
By: |
/s/ David Phipps |
|
Name: |
David Phipps |
|
Title: |
Chief Executive Officer and President |
KNOW ALL MEN AND WOMEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints David Phipps his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and any subsequent registration statements pursuant to Rule 462 of the Securities Act of 1933 and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorney-in-fact or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
|
Signature |
Title |
Date |
||
|
/s/ David Phipps |
Chief Executive Officer and President |
December 17, 2025 |
||
|
David Phipps |
(Principal Executive Officer) |
|||
|
/s/ Rodney Barreto |
Chairman |
December 17, 2025 | ||
|
Rodney Barreto |
||||
|
/s/ Amanda Ferrio |
Chief Financial Officer |
December 17, 2025 | ||
|
Amanda Ferrio |
(Principal Financial Officer) |
|||
|
/s/ Robert Bedwell |
Chief Compliance Officer |
December 17, 2025 | ||
|
Robert Bedwell |
||||
|
/s/ Douglas S. Ellenoff |
Director |
December 17, 2025 | ||
|
Douglas S. Ellenoff |
||||
|
/s/ Hector Delgado |
Director |
December 17, 2025 | ||
|
Hector Delgado |
||||
|
/s/ Lauren Sturges Fernandez |
Director |
December 17, 2025 | ||
|
Lauren Sturges Fernandez |
||||
|
/s/ Anthony Armas |
Director |
December 17, 2025 | ||
|
Anthony Armas |
Exhibit 4.1
INDENTURE
Dated as of
[ ]
Between
NextPlat Corp
as the Company
and
[ ]
as the Trustee
DEBT SECURITIES
NEXTPLAT CORP
Reconciliation and tie between Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and the Indenture, dated as of , 20[ ]1
|
Trust Indenture Act Section |
Indenture Section |
|||
|
Sec. 310 |
(a)(1) |
10.04(a) |
||
|
(a)(2) |
10.04(a) |
|||
|
(a)(3) |
TIA |
|||
|
(a)(4) |
N.A. |
|||
|
(a)(5) |
TIA |
|||
|
(b) |
10.04(b); 10.05 |
|||
|
Sec. 311 |
(a) |
10.01(f) |
||
|
(b) |
10.01; 10.04 |
|||
|
Sec. 312 |
(a) |
9.03 |
||
|
(b) |
10.10 |
|||
|
(c) |
10.10 |
|||
|
Sec. 313 |
(a) |
9.01(a) |
||
|
(b)(1) |
9.01(a) |
|||
|
(b)(2) |
9.01(b), |
|||
|
(c) |
9.01(b) |
|||
|
(d) |
9.01(b) |
|||
|
Sec. 314 |
(a) |
9.02; 5.10 |
||
|
(b) |
N.A. |
|||
|
(c) |
15.01(a) |
|||
|
(c)(2) |
15.01(a) |
|||
|
(c)(3) |
N.A. |
|||
|
(d) |
N.A. |
|||
|
1 |
Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not be deemed to be part of the indenture for any purpose. |
|
Trust Indenture Act Section |
Indenture Section |
|||
|
(e) |
15.01(b) |
|||
|
(f) |
N.A. |
|||
|
Sec. 315 |
(a)(1) |
10.02(b)(i) |
||
|
(a)(2) |
10.02(b)(ii) |
|||
|
(b) |
10.03 |
|||
|
(c) |
10.02(a) |
|||
|
(d) |
10.02(c) |
|||
|
(e) |
6.08 |
|||
|
Sec. 316 |
(a)(last sentence) |
1.01 (definition of “Outstanding”) |
||
|
(a)(1)(A) |
6.06 |
|||
|
(a)(1)(B) |
6.06 |
|||
|
(b) |
6.07 |
|||
|
(c) |
7.02(e); 13.02(d) |
|||
|
Sec. 317 |
(a)(1) |
6.04 |
||
|
(a)(2) |
6.04 |
|||
|
(b) |
5.03 |
|||
|
Sec. 318 |
(a) |
15.02 |
||
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
Page |
||||||
|
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS |
1 |
|||||
|
Section 1.01. |
Definitions. |
1 |
||||
|
ARTICLE II FORMS OF SECURITIES |
9 |
|||||
|
Section 2.01. |
Form Generally. |
9 |
||||
|
Section 2.02. |
Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication. |
10 |
||||
|
Section 2.03. |
Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication by an Authenticating Agent |
10 |
||||
|
ARTICLE III THE DEBT SECURITIES |
11 |
|||||
|
Section 3.01. |
Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series |
11 |
||||
|
Section 3.02. |
Denominations |
13 |
||||
|
Section 3.03. |
Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating |
13 |
||||
|
Section 3.04. |
Temporary Securities |
16 |
||||
|
Section 3.05. |
Registrar |
16 |
||||
|
Section 3.06. |
Transfer and Exchange |
17 |
||||
|
Section 3.07. |
Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities |
19 |
||||
|
Section 3.08. |
Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved |
20 |
||||
|
Section 3.09. |
Cancellation |
21 |
||||
|
Section 3.10. |
Computation of Interest |
21 |
||||
|
Section 3.11. |
Currency of Payments in Respect of Securities |
21 |
||||
|
Section 3.12. |
CUSIP Numbers |
22 |
||||
|
ARTICLE IV REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES |
22 |
|||||
|
Section 4.01. |
Applicability of Right of Redemption |
22 |
||||
|
Section 4.02. |
Selection of Securities to be Redeemed |
22 |
||||
|
Section 4.03. |
Notice of Redemption |
23 |
||||
|
Section 4.04. |
Deposit of Redemption Price |
23 |
||||
|
Section 4.05. |
Securities Payable on Redemption Date |
24 |
||||
|
Section 4.06. |
Securities Redeemed in Part |
24 |
||||
|
Section 4.07. |
Tax Redemption |
24 |
||||
|
Section 4.08. |
Open Market Purchase |
25 |
||||
|
ARTICLE V PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY |
25 |
|||||
i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(Continued)
|
Page |
||||||
|
Section 5.01. |
Payments of Principal, Premium and Interest |
25 |
||||
|
Section 5.02. |
Maintenance of Office or Agency; Paying Agent |
25 |
||||
|
Section 5.03. |
To Hold Payment in Trust |
26 |
||||
|
Section 5.04. |
Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets |
27 |
||||
|
Section 5.05. |
[Reserved] |
28 |
||||
|
Section 5.06. |
Repurchase Upon Triggering Event |
28 |
||||
|
Section 5.07. |
Additional Amounts |
30 |
||||
|
Section 5.08. |
Payment for Consent |
32 |
||||
|
Section 5.09. |
[Reserved] |
32 |
||||
|
Section 5.10. |
Compliance Certificate |
32 |
||||
|
Section 5.11. |
Conditional Waiver by Holders of Securities |
33 |
||||
|
Section 5.12. |
Statement by Officers as to Default |
33 |
||||
|
ARTICLE VI REMEDIES OF TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS |
33 |
|||||
|
Section 6.01. |
Events of Default |
33 |
||||
|
Section 6.02. |
Acceleration; Rescission and Annulment |
34 |
||||
|
Section 6.03. |
Other Remedies |
35 |
||||
|
Section 6.04. |
Trustee as Attorney-in-Fact |
36 |
||||
|
Section 6.05. |
Priorities |
36 |
||||
|
Section 6.06. |
Control by Securityholders; Waiver of Past Defaults |
37 |
||||
|
Section 6.07. |
Limitation on Suits |
37 |
||||
|
Section 6.08. |
Undertaking for Costs |
37 |
||||
|
Section 6.09. |
Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission Not Waiver |
38 |
||||
|
ARTICLE VII CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS |
38 |
|||||
|
Section 7.01. |
Evidence of Action of Securityholders |
38 |
||||
|
Section 7.02. |
Proof of Execution or Holding of Securities |
38 |
||||
|
Section 7.03. |
Persons Deemed Owners |
39 |
||||
|
Section 7.04. |
Effect of Consents |
39 |
||||
|
ARTICLE VIII SECURITYHOLDERS’ MEETINGS |
40 |
|||||
|
Section 8.01. |
Purposes of Meetings |
40 |
||||
|
Section 8.02. |
Call of Meetings by Trustee |
40 |
||||
ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(Continued)
|
Page |
||||||
|
Section 8.03. |
Call of Meetings by Company or Securityholders |
40 |
||||
|
Section 8.04. |
Qualifications for Voting |
40 |
||||
|
Section 8.05. |
Regulation of Meetings |
41 |
||||
|
Section 8.06. |
Voting |
41 |
||||
|
Section 8.07. |
No Delay of Rights by Meeting |
41 |
||||
|
ARTICLE IX REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS’ LISTS |
42 |
|||||
|
Section 9.01. |
Reports by Trustee |
42 |
||||
|
Section 9.02. |
Reports by the Company |
42 |
||||
|
Section 9.03. |
Securityholders’ Lists |
42 |
||||
|
ARTICLE X CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE |
43 |
|||||
|
Section 10.01. |
Rights of Trustees; Compensation and Indemnity |
43 |
||||
|
Section 10.02. |
Duties of Trustee |
45 |
||||
|
Section 10.03. |
Notice of Defaults |
46 |
||||
|
Section 10.04. |
Eligibility; Disqualification |
47 |
||||
|
Section 10.05. |
Resignation and Notice; Removal |
47 |
||||
|
Section 10.06. |
Successor Trustee by Appointment |
48 |
||||
|
Section 10.07. |
Successor Trustee by Merger |
49 |
||||
|
Section 10.08. |
Right to Rely on Officer’s Certificate |
49 |
||||
|
Section 10.09. |
Appointment of Authenticating Agent |
49 |
||||
|
Section 10.10. |
Communications by Securityholders with Other Securityholders |
50 |
||||
|
ARTICLE XI SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE |
50 |
|||||
|
Section 11.01. |
Applicability of Article |
50 |
||||
|
Section 11.02. |
Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture |
50 |
||||
|
Section 11.03. |
Defeasance upon Deposit of Moneys or U.S. Government Obligations |
51 |
||||
|
Section 11.04. |
Repayment to Company |
53 |
||||
|
Section 11.05. |
Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations |
53 |
||||
|
Section 11.06. |
Deposits to Be Held in Escrow |
53 |
||||
|
Section 11.07. |
Application of Trust Money |
54 |
||||
iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(Continued)
|
Page |
||||||
|
Section 11.08. |
Deposits of Non-U.S. Currencies |
54 |
||||
|
ARTICLE XII IMMUNITY OF CERTAIN PERSONS |
54 |
|||||
|
Section 12.01. |
No Personal Liability |
54 |
||||
|
ARTICLE XIII SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES |
55 |
|||||
|
Section 13.01. |
Without Consent of Securityholders |
55 |
||||
|
Section 13.02. |
With Consent of Securityholders; Limitations |
56 |
||||
|
Section 13.03. |
Trustee Protected |
57 |
||||
|
Section 13.04. |
Effect of Execution of Supplemental Indenture |
58 |
||||
|
Section 13.05. |
Notation on or Exchange of Securities |
58 |
||||
|
Section 13.06. |
Conformity with TIA |
58 |
||||
|
ARTICLE XIV [RESERVED] |
58 |
|||||
|
ARTICLE XV MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS |
58 |
|||||
|
Section 15.01. |
Certificates and Opinions as to Conditions Precedent |
58 |
||||
|
Section 15.02. |
Trust Indenture Act Controls |
59 |
||||
|
Section 15.03. |
Notices to the Company and Trustee |
59 |
||||
|
Section 15.04. |
Notices to Securityholders; Waiver |
60 |
||||
|
Section 15.05. |
Legal Holiday |
60 |
||||
|
Section 15.06. |
Judgment Currency |
60 |
||||
|
Section 15.07. |
Effects of Headings and Table of Contents |
61 |
||||
|
Section 15.08. |
Successors and Assigns |
61 |
||||
|
Section 15.09. |
Severability |
61 |
||||
|
Section 15.10. |
Benefits of Indenture |
61 |
||||
|
Section 15.11. |
Counterparts |
61 |
||||
|
Section 15.12. |
Governing Law; Waiver of Trial by Jury |
61 |
||||
|
Section 15.13. |
Submission to Jurisdiction |
61 |
||||
|
Section 15.14. |
Waiver of Immunity |
62 |
||||
|
Section 15.15. |
Force Majeure |
62 |
||||
|
Section 15.16. |
No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements |
62 |
||||
|
Annex |
A-1 |
|||||
iv
INDENTURE dated as of , 20[ ], between NextPlat Corp, a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), and [ ], as trustee (the “Trustee”).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance of debentures, notes, bonds or other evidences of indebtedness (the “Securities”) in an unlimited aggregate principal amount to be issued from time to time in one or more series as provided in this Indenture; and
WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this Indenture a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.
NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:
That, in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders (as defined below) thereof for the equal and proportionate benefit of all of the present and future Holders of the Securities, each party agrees and covenants as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.01. Definitions.
(a) Unless otherwise defined in this Indenture or the context otherwise requires, all terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Trust Indenture Act.
(b) Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms defined in this Section 1.01(b) shall for all purposes of this Indenture have the meanings hereinafter set forth, the following definitions to be equally applicable to both the singular and the plural forms of any of the terms herein defined:
“Additional Amounts” has the meaning provided in Section 5.07(a).
“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under direct or indirect common control with, such Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
“Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to any transfer or transaction involving a Global Security or beneficial interest therein, the rules and procedures of the Depository for such Global Security, to the extent applicable to such transaction or exchange and as in effect from time to time.
“Authenticating Agent” has the meaning provided in Section 10.09.
“Bankruptcy Code” means Title 11 of the United States Code.
“Board of Directors” means the board of directors elected or appointed by the shareholders of the Company to manage its business or any committee of such board of directors duly authorized to take the action purported to be taken by such committee; or, in the case that the Company is not a corporation, the group exercising the authority generally vested in a board of directors of a corporation.
1
“Board Resolution” means any resolution of the Board of Directors taking an action which it is authorized to take and adopted at a meeting duly called and held at which a quorum of disinterested members (if so required) was present and acting throughout or adopted by written resolution executed by every member of the Board of Directors.
“Business Day” means a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, unless banking institutions or trust companies in The City of New York are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed on such day.
“Capital Stock” of any Person means any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such Person, including any Preferred Shares and limited liability or partnership interests (whether general or limited), but excluding any debt securities convertible or exchangeable into such equity.
“Certificated Security” means a certificated Security that evidences all or part of the Securities of any series and bears the legends set forth in Exhibit A hereto (or such legends as may be specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 for such Securities) and is registered in the name of the Holder.
“Change in Law” means a change in or amendment to the laws, regulations and rules of the State of Nevada or the official interpretation or official application thereof.
“Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Company” means the Person named as the “Company” in the recitals, until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor Person.
“Company Order” means a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by an Officer of the Company and delivered to the Trustee.
“Consolidated Affiliated Entity” of any Person means any corporation, association or other entity which is or is required to be consolidated with such Person under Accounting Standards Codification subtopic 810-10, Consolidation: Overall (including any changes, amendments or supplements thereto) or, if such Person prepares its financial statements in accordance with accounting principles other than U.S. GAAP, the equivalent of Accounting Standards Codification subtopic 810-10, Consolidation: Overall under such accounting principles. Unless otherwise specified herein, each reference to a Consolidated Affiliated Entity will refer to a Consolidated Affiliated Entity of the Company.
“Controlled Entity” of any Person means a Subsidiary or a Consolidated Affiliated Entity of such Person.
“Corporate Trust Office,” or other similar term, means the principal office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date hereof is located at [ ], or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company, or the principal corporate trust officer of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company).
“Covenant Defeasance” has the meaning provided in Section 11.03(c).
“CUSIP” means the identification number provided by the Committee on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures.
“Currency” means U.S. Dollars or Foreign Currency.
2
“Currency Determination Agent” has the meaning provided in Section 3.11(d).
“Default” has the meaning provided in Section 10.03.
“Defaulted Interest” has the meaning provided in Section 3.08(b).
“Depository” means, with respect to the Securities of any series issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, the Person designated as Depository by the Company pursuant to Section 3.01 until a successor Depository shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Depository” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Depository hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Depository” as used with respect to the Securities of any such series shall mean the Depository with respect to the Securities of that series. The “Depository” shall initially be DTC, its nominees and its successors.
“Designated Currency” has the meaning provided in Section 3.11(a).
“Discharged” has the meaning provided in Section 11.03(b).
“DTC” means The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York.
“Event of Default” has the meaning provided in Section 6.01.
“Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Exchange Rate” has the meaning provided in Section 3.11(d).
“FATCA” has the meaning provided in Section 5.07(a)(viii).
“Floating Rate Security” means a Security that provides for the payment of interest at a variable rate determined periodically by reference to an interest rate index specified pursuant to Section 3.01.
“Foreign Currency” means a currency issued by the government of any country other than the United States or a composite currency, the value of which is determined by reference to the values of the currencies of any group of countries.
“Global Security” means a Security that evidences all or part of the Securities of any series and bears the legend set forth in Exhibit A hereto (or such legend as may be specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 for such Securities).
“Group” means the Company and its Controlled Entities.
“Holder,” “Holder of Securities,” or “Securityholder” mean the Person in whose name Securities are registered in the Register.
“Indebtedness” means any and all obligations of a Person for money borrowed which, in accordance with U.S. GAAP, would be reflected on the balance sheet of such Person as a liability on the date as of which Indebtedness is to be determined.
“Indenture” means this instrument and all indentures supplemental hereto and any amendments or modifications to the foregoing, in each case, entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and shall include the terms of particular series of Securities established in accordance with Section 3.01.
“Legal Counsel” means a legal firm of internationally recognized standing that is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.
3
“Indirect Participant” means a Person who holds a beneficial interest in a Security through a Participant.
“Interest Payment Date” means, with respect to any Security, the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.
“ISIN” means the International Securities Identification Number.
“Issue Date” means, with respect to any Security, the date on which such Security is originally issued under this Indenture.
“Judgment Currency” has the meaning provided in Section 15.06.
“Legal Defeasance” has the meaning provided in Section 11.03(b).
“Lien” means any mortgage, charge, pledge, lien or other form of encumbrance or security interest.
“Maturity” means, with respect to any Security, the date on which the principal of such Security, or any installment of principal, shall become due and payable as therein and herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration, call for redemption or otherwise.
“Members” has the meaning provided in Section 3.03(h).
“Non-recourse Obligation” means Indebtedness or other obligations substantially related to (1) the acquisition of assets not previously owned by the Company or any of its Controlled Entities or (2) the financing of a project involving the purchase, development, improvement or expansion of properties of the Company or any of its Controlled Entities, as to which the obligee with respect to such Indebtedness or obligation has no recourse to the Company or any of its Controlled Entities or to the Company’s or any such Controlled Entity’s assets other than the assets which were acquired with the proceeds of such transaction or the project financed with the proceeds of such transaction (and the proceeds thereof).
“Officer” means the Executive Chairman of the Board, the Executive Vice Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer or the Corporate Secretary of the Company or, in the event that the Company is a partnership or a limited liability company that has no such officers, a person duly authorized under applicable law by the general partner, managers, members or a similar body to act on behalf of the Company.
“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed by an Officer of the Company.
“Opinion of Counsel” means an opinion in writing reasonably acceptable to the Trustee signed by legal counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel to the Company or who may be other counsel, that meets the applicable requirements provided for in Section 15.01. Opinions of Counsel may have qualifications customary for opinions of the type required.
“Original Issue Discount Security” means any Security that is issued with “original issue discount” within the meaning of Section 1273(a) of the Code and the regulations thereunder and any other Security designated by the Company as issued with original issue discount for United States federal income tax purposes.
“Outstanding” means, when used with respect to Securities, as of the date of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:
(i) Securities theretofore cancelled by the Paying Agent or delivered to the Paying Agent for cancellation;
4
(ii) Securities or portions thereof for which payment or redemption money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities or Securities as to which the Company’s obligations have been Discharged; provided, however, that if such Securities or portions thereof are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made; and
(iii) Securities that have been paid pursuant to Section 3.07(b) or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a protected purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company;
(iv) Securities to which defeasance has been effected pursuant to Section 11.03;
provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Securities of a series Outstanding have performed any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action) hereunder, Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities of such series or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding unless the Company, such Affiliate or such other obligor owns all of such Securities, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such action, only Securities of such series for which the Trustee has received written notice to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned that have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes its right to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor. Upon request of the Trustee, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee promptly an Officer’s Certificate listing and identifying all such Securities, if any, known by the Company to be owned or held by or for the account of any of the above described Persons; and, subject to the provisions of Section 10.01, the Trustee shall be entitled to accept such Officer’s Certificate as conclusive evidence of the facts therein set forth and of the fact that all such Securities not listed therein are Outstanding for the purpose of any such determination. In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of a series have performed any action hereunder, the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purpose shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02 and the principal amount of a Security denominated in a Foreign Currency that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purpose shall be the amount calculated pursuant to Section 3.11(b).
“Participant” means, with respect to any Depository, a person who is a participant or has an account with such Depository.
“Paying Agent” means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Securities on behalf of the Company. The Company may act as Paying Agent with respect to Securities of any series issued hereunder.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, firm, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, undertaking, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, trust, state, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity (in each case whether or not being a separate legal entity).
“Place of Payment” has the meaning provided in Section 3.01(h).
5
“Predecessor Security” means, with respect to any Security, every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security, and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 3.07 in lieu of a lost, destroyed or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the lost, destroyed or stolen Security.
“Preferred Shares,” as applied to the Capital Stock of any corporation, means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) that is preferred as to the payment of dividends upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up.
“Principal Controlled Entities” at any time shall mean one of the Controlled Entities of the Company:
(i) as to which one or more of the following conditions is/are satisfied:
(A) its total revenue or (in the case of one of the Controlled Entities of the Company which has one or more Controlled Entities) consolidated total revenue attributable to the Group is at least 10% of the consolidated total revenue of the Group;
(B) its net profit or (in the case of one of the Controlled Entities of the Company which has one or more Controlled Entities) consolidated net profit attributable to the Group (in each case before taxation and exceptional items) is at least 10% of the consolidated net profit of the Group (before taxation and exceptional items); or
(C) its net assets or (in the case of one of the Controlled Entities of the Company which has one or more Controlled Entities) consolidated net assets attributable to the Group (in each case after deducting minority interests in Subsidiaries ) are at least 10% of the consolidated net assets of the Group (after deducting minority interests in Subsidiaries of the Company);
all as calculated by reference to the then latest audited financial statements (consolidated or, as the case may be, unconsolidated) of the Controlled Entity of the Company and the then latest audited consolidated financial statements of the Company; provided that, in relation to clauses (A), (B) and (C) above:
(1) in the case of a corporation or other business entity becoming a Controlled Entity after the end of the financial period to which the latest consolidated audited accounts of the Company relate, the reference to the then latest consolidated audited accounts of the Company and its Controlled Entities for the purposes of the calculation above shall, until the consolidated audited accounts of the Company for the financial period in which the relevant corporation or other business entity becomes a Controlled Entity are issued, be deemed to be a reference to the then latest consolidated audited accounts of the Company and its Controlled Entities adjusted to consolidate the latest audited accounts (consolidated in the case of a Controlled Entity which itself has Controlled Entities) of such Controlled Entity in such accounts;
(2) if at any relevant time in relation to the Company or any Controlled Entity which itself has Controlled Entities, no consolidated accounts are prepared and audited, total revenue, net profit or net assets of the Company and/or any such Controlled Entity shall be determined on the basis of pro forma consolidated accounts prepared for this purpose by or on behalf of the Company;
(3) if at any relevant time in relation to any Controlled Entity, no accounts are audited, its net assets (consolidated, if appropriate) shall be determined on the basis of pro forma accounts (consolidated, if appropriate) of the relevant Controlled Entity prepared for this purpose by or on behalf of the Company; and
(4) if the accounts of any Controlled Entity (not being a Controlled Entity referred to in proviso (1) above) are not consolidated with the accounts of the Company, then the determination of whether or not such Controlled Entity is a Principal Controlled Entity shall be based on a pro forma consolidation of its accounts (consolidated, if appropriate) with the consolidated accounts of the Company (determined on the basis of the foregoing); or
6
(ii) that Principal Controlled Entity merges with or into, or to which is transferred all or substantially all of the assets of a Controlled Entity which immediately prior to the transfer was a Principal Controlled Entity; provided that, with effect from such transfer, the Controlled Entity which so transfers its assets and undertakings shall cease to be a Principal Controlled Entity (but without prejudice to paragraph (i) above) and the Controlled Entity to which the assets are so transferred shall become a Principal Controlled Entity.
An Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee certifying in good faith as to whether or not a Controlled Entity is a Principal Controlled Entity shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.
“Prospectus” means the prospectus, dated , 20[…], relating to the offering of Securities.
“Record Date” means, with respect to any interest payable on any Security on any Interest Payment Date, the close of business on such date specified in such Security for the payment of interest.
“Redemption Date” means, when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, in whole or in part, the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture and the terms of such Security.
“Redemption Price” means, when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed or repurchased, in whole or in part, the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to the terms of the Security and this Indenture.
“Register” has the meaning provided in Section 3.05(a).
“Registrar” has the meaning provided in Section 3.05(a).
“Relevant Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness which is in the form of, or represented or evidenced by, bonds, notes, debentures or other securities which for the time being are, or are intended to be or are commonly, quoted, listed or dealt in or traded on any stock exchange or over-the-counter or other securities market, but shall exclude any bank debt, bank loans or securitizations.
“Relevant Jurisdiction” has the meaning provided in Section 5.07(a).
“Responsible Officer” means, with respect to the Trustee, any managing director, vice-president, trust associate, relationship manager, transaction manager, client service manager, any trust officer or any other officer assigned to the Corporate Trust Department (or any successor division or unit) of the Trustee located at the Specified Corporate Trust Office, who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by any persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture, and any other officer of the Trustee to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such officer’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.
“SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, as constituted from time to time.
“Security” or “Securities” means any security or securities, as the case may be, duly authenticated by the Trustee and delivered under this Indenture.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Security Custodian” means the custodian with respect to any Global Security appointed by the Depository, or any successor Person thereto, and shall initially be [ ].
7
“Special Record Date” has the meaning provided in Section 3.08(b)(i).
“Specified Corporate Trust Office” means [ ], facsimile: [ ].
“Stated Maturity” means, when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal (or any portion thereof) of or premium, if any, on such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.
“Subsidiary” of any Person means (i) any corporation, association or other business entity (other than a partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar entity) of which more than 50% of the total ordinary voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof (or Persons performing similar functions) or (ii) any partnership, joint venture limited liability company or similar entity of which more than 50% of the capital accounts, distribution rights, total equity and voting interests or general or limited partnership interests, as applicable, is, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), voting at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by (A) such Person, (B) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or (C) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person. Unless otherwise specified herein, each reference to a Subsidiary will refer to a Subsidiary of the Company.
“Successor Jurisdiction” has the meaning provided in Section 5.07(d).
“Tax Change” has the meaning provided in Section 4.07(a).
“Tax Consultant” means an independent accounting firm or consultant of internationally recognized standing that is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.
“Taxes” has the meaning provided in Section 5.07(a).
“Triggering Event” means (A) any Change in Law that results in (x) the Group (as in existence immediately subsequent to such Change in Law), as a whole, being legally prohibited from operating substantially all of the business operations conducted by the Group (as in existence immediately prior to such Change in Law) as of the last date of the period described in the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the most recent fiscal quarter and (y) the Company being unable to continue to derive substantially all of the economic benefits from the business operations conducted by the Group (as in existence immediately prior to such Change in Law) in the same manner as reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the most recent fiscal quarter prior to such Change in Law and (B) the Company has not furnished to the Trustee, prior to the date that is twelve months after the date of the Change in Law, an opinion from an independent financial advisor or Legal Counsel stating either that (1) the Company is able to continue to derive substantially all of the economic benefits from the business operations conducted by the Group (as in existence immediately prior to such Change in Law), taken as a whole, as reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the most recent fiscal quarter prior to such Change in Law (including after giving effect to any corporate restructuring or reorganization plan of the Company) or (2) such Change in Law would not materially adversely affect the Company’s ability to make principal, premium, if any, and interest payments on the Securities of any series when due.
“Triggering Event Offer” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.06(a).
“Triggering Event Payment” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.06(a).
“Triggering Event Payment Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.06(a)(ii).
“Trust Indenture Act” or “TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
“Trustee” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Trustee shall have become such with respect to one or more series of Securities pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.
8
“U.S. Dollars” or “US$” means such currency of the United States as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.
“U.S. GAAP” refers to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.
“U.S. Government Obligations” means securities that are (i) direct obligations of the United States for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of an agency or instrumentality of the United States the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States, and shall also include a depositary receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such U.S. Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depositary receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of the U.S. Government Obligation evidenced by such depositary receipt.
“United States” shall mean the United States of America (including the States and the District of Columbia), its territories and its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.
Section 1.02 Rules of Construction. For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision;
(b) the words “including” and words of similar import when used in this Indenture shall mean “including, without limitation”;
(c) references to “Article” or “Section” or other subdivision herein are references to an Article, Section or other subdivision of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires; and
(d) references to any agreement, instrument, statute or regulation defined or referred to herein or in any instrument establishing the terms of any Securities (or executed in connection therewith) are references to such agreement, instrument, statute or regulation as from time to time amended, modified, supplemented or replaced, including (in the case of agreements or instruments) by waiver or consent and by succession of comparable successor agreements, instruments, statutes or regulations; and
(e) “or” is not exclusive.
ARTICLE II
FORMS OF SECURITIES
Section 2.01. Form Generally.
(a) The Securities of each series shall be substantially in the forms set forth in Exhibit A hereto or as shall be established pursuant to a Company Order, Officer’s Certificate or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case, with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any securities exchange on which any series of the Securities may be listed or of any automated quotation system on which any such series may be quoted, or to conform to usage, all as determined by the officers executing such Securities as conclusively evidenced by their execution of such Securities.
9
(b) The terms and provisions of the Securities shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture, and, to the extent applicable, the Company and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby.
Section 2.02. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.
(a) Only such of the Securities as shall bear thereon a certificate substantially in the form of the Trustee’s certificate of authentication hereinafter recited, executed by the Trustee by manual signature, shall be valid or become obligatory for any purpose or entitle the Holder thereof to any right or benefit under this Indenture.
(b) Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.
(c) The form of the Trustee’s certificate of authentication to be borne by the Securities shall be substantially as follows:
TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
|
Date of authentication: |
[NAME OF TRUSTEE], as Trustee |
|||||||||
|
By: |
||||||||||
|
Name: |
||||||||||
|
Title: |
||||||||||
Section 2.03. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication by an Authenticating Agent. If at any time there shall be an Authenticating Agent appointed with respect to any series of Securities, then the Trustee’s certificate of authentication by such Authenticating Agent to be borne by Securities of each such series shall be substantially as follows:
TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the Securities issued referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
|
Date of authentication: |
[NAME OF TRUSTEE], as Trustee |
|||||||||
|
By: |
[NAME OF AUTHENTICATING AGENT] as Authenticating Agent |
|||||||||
|
By: |
||||||||||
|
Name: |
||||||||||
|
Title: |
||||||||||
10
ARTICLE III
THE DEBT SECURITIES
Section 3.01. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series. The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued from time to time in one or more series. There shall be set forth in a Company Order, Officer’s Certificate or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series:
(a) the title of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of such series from the Securities of all other series, except to the extent that additional Securities of an existing series are being issued);
(b) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of such series pursuant to Section 3.04, 3.06, 3.07, 4.06, or 13.05) and the percentage or percentages of principal amount at which the Securities of the series will be issued;
(c) the dates on which or periods during which the Securities of the series may be issued, and the dates on, or the range of dates within, which the principal of and premium, if any, on the Securities of such series are or may be payable or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined or extended;
(d) the rate or rates at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, or the method by which such rate or rates shall be determined, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined, the Interest Payment Dates on which any such interest shall be payable, and the Record Dates for the determination of Holders to whom interest is payable on such Interest Payment Dates or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined, the right, if any, to extend or defer interest payments and the duration of such extension or deferral;
(e) if other than U.S. Dollars, the Foreign Currency in which Securities of the series shall be denominated or in which payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Securities of the series shall be payable and any other terms applicable thereto;
(f) if the amount of payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, the Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method including, but not limited to, an index based on a Currency or Currencies other than that in which the Securities are stated to be payable, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;
(g) if the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, Securities of the series are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in a Currency other than that in which the Securities are denominated or stated to be payable without such election, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made and the time and the manner of determining the Exchange Rate (in addition to or in lieu of the provision set forth in Section 3.11) between the Currency in which the Securities are denominated or payable without such election and the Currency in which the Securities are to be paid if such election is made;
11
(h) the place or places, if any, in addition to or instead of the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee where the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on Securities of the series shall be payable, and where Securities of any series may be presented for registration of transfer, exchange or conversion, and the place or places where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such series may be made (each such place, the “Place of Payment”);
(i) the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which or the date or dates on which, and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company, if the Company is to have that option;
(j) the obligation or right, if any, of the Company to redeem, purchase or repay Securities of the series at the option of a Holder thereof and the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which or the date or dates on which, the Currency or Currencies in which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such right or obligation;
(k) if other than denominations of US$2,000 and multiples of US$1,000 in excess thereof, the denominations in which Securities of the series shall be issuable;
(l) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of the Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02;
(m) whether the Securities of the series are to be issued as Original Issue Discount Securities and the amount of discount or premium, if any, with which such Securities may be issued;
(n) provisions, if any, for the defeasance of Securities of the series in whole or in part and any addition or change in the provisions related to satisfaction and discharge;
(o) whether the Securities of the series are to be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and, in such case, (i) the Depository for such Global Security or Securities, (ii) the form of legend in addition to or in lieu of that in Section 3.03(f) which shall be borne by such Global Security and (iii) the terms and conditions, if any, upon which interests in such Global Security or Securities may be exchanged in whole or in part for the individual Securities represented thereby;
(p) the date as of which any Global Security of the series shall be dated if other than the original issuance of the first Security of the series to be issued;
(q) if other than fully registered form without interest coupons, the form of the Securities of the series;
(r) whether the Securities of the series are subject to subordination and the terms of such subordination;
(s) whether the Securities of the series shall be secured;
12
(t) whether the Securities are to be convertible into or exchangeable for cash and/or any Securities or other property of any person (including us), the terms and conditions upon which such Securities will be so convertible or exchangeable;
(u) the securities exchange(s) or automated quotation system(s) on which the Securities of the series will be listed or admitted to trading, as applicable, if any;
(v) any restriction or condition on the transferability of the Securities of the series;
(w) any addition or change in the provisions related to compensation and reimbursement of the Trustee which applies to the Securities of the series;
(x) any addition or change in the provisions related to supplemental indentures set forth in Sections 13.01, 13.02 and 13.04 which applies to the Securities of the series;
(y) provisions, if any, granting special rights to Holders upon the occurrence of specified events;
(z) any addition to or change in the Events of Default which applies to any Securities of the series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the requisite Holders of such Securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable pursuant to Section 6.02 and any addition or change in the provisions set forth in Article VI which applies to Securities of the series;
(aa) any addition to or change in the covenants set forth in Article V which applies to the Securities of the series; and
(bb) any other terms of the Securities of the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, except as permitted by Section 13.01, but which may modify or delete any provision of this Indenture insofar as it applies to such series), including any terms which may be required by or advisable under the laws of the United States or regulations thereunder or advisable (as determined by the Company) in connection with the marketing of Securities of the series.
All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical, except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided herein or set forth in a Company Order, Officer’s Certificate or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto; provided that, if additional Securities of an existing series are issued, such additional Securities shall not be issued unless such additional Securities are fungible with the Securities of such series then Outstanding for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Section 3.02. Denominations. In the absence of any specification pursuant to Section 3.01 with respect to Securities of any series, the Securities of such series shall be issuable only as Securities in denominations of US$2,000 and multiples of US$1,000 in excess thereof, and shall be payable only in U.S. Dollars.
Section 3.03. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.
(a) The Securities shall be executed in the name and on behalf of the Company by an Officer. Such signatures may be the manual or facsimile signature of the present or any future such Officer. If the Person whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that office at the time the Security is authenticated and delivered, the Security shall nevertheless be valid.
13
(b) At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities and, if required pursuant to Section 3.01, a supplemental indenture, Company Order or Officer’s Certificate setting forth the terms of the Securities of a series. The Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and deliver such Securities without any further action by the Company. The Company Order shall specify the principal amount of Securities to be authenticated and the date on which the original issue of Securities is to be authenticated.
(c) In authenticating the first Securities of any series and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall receive, and (subject to Section 10.02) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officer’s Certificate, prepared in accordance with Section 15.01 stating that the conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture have been complied with, and an Opinion of Counsel, prepared in accordance with Section 15.01 and substantially in the form set forth below:
(i) that the form or forms of such Securities have been established in accordance with Article II and Section 3.01 and in conformity with the other provisions of this Indenture;
(ii) that the terms of such Securities have been established in accordance with Section 3.01 and in conformity with the other provision of this Indenture;
(iii) that such Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to (A) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance and other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights, (B) general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding, judicial or otherwise) and (C) an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing;
(iv) if applicable, that the supplemental indenture, setting forth the terms of such Securities, when executed and delivered by the Trustee in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute a valid and legally binding obligation of the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to (A) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance and other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights, (B) general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding, judicial or otherwise) and (C) an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; and
(v) that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture in respect of the authentication and delivery by the Company of such Securities have been complied with.
Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraph, if all Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver the Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel otherwise required pursuant to such preceding paragraph at or prior to the authentication of each Security of such series if such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel is delivered at or prior to the authentication upon original issuance of the first Security of such series to be issued; provided that nothing in this clause (c) is intended to derogate Trustee’s rights to receive an Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel under Section 15.01.
(d) The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver the Securities under this Section 3.03 if the issue of the Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise.
14
(e) Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.
(f) If the Company shall establish pursuant to Section 3.01 that the Securities of a series are to be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, then the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver one or more Global Securities that (i) shall represent an aggregate amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series to be represented by such Global Securities, (ii) shall be registered, if in registered form, in the name of the Depository for such Global Security or Securities or the nominee of such Depository, (iii) shall be delivered by the Trustee to such Depository or pursuant to such Depository’s instruction and (iv) shall bear a legend substantially to the following effect:
UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR THE INDIVIDUAL SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF, THIS GLOBAL SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITORY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY TO THE DEPOSITORY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY OR BY THE DEPOSITORY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY.
The aggregate principal amount of each Global Security may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Security Custodian, as provided in this Indenture.
(g) Each Depository designated pursuant to Section 3.01 for a Global Security in registered form must, at the time of its designation and at all times while it serves as such Depository, be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and any other applicable statute or regulation.
(h) Members of, or participants in, the Depository (“Members”) shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Security held on their behalf by the Depository or by the Security Custodian under such Global Security, and the Depository may be treated by the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Registrar and any of their agents as the absolute owner of such Global Security for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar or any of their agents from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depository or impair, as between the Depository and its Members, the operation of customary practices of the Depository governing the exercise of the rights of an owner of a beneficial interest in any Global Security. The Holder of a Global Security may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including Members and Persons that may hold interests through Members, to take any action that a Holder is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Securities.
(i) No Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in one of the forms provided for herein duly executed by the Trustee or an Authenticating Agent by manual signature of an authorized signatory of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent, as the case may be, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such Security to the Paying Agent for cancellation as provided in Section 3.09, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.
15
Section 3.04. Temporary Securities.
(a) Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute and, upon receipt of a Company Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities that are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise reproduced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued, in registered form and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such temporary Securities may determine, as conclusively evidenced by their execution of such temporary Securities. Any such temporary Security may be in global form, representing all or a portion of the Outstanding Securities of such series. Every such temporary Security shall be executed by the Company and shall be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with the same effect, as the definitive Security or Securities in lieu of which it is issued.
(b) If temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company shall cause definitive Securities of such series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of such temporary Securities at the office or agency maintained by the Company in a Place of Payment for such purposes provided in Section 5.02, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.
(c) Upon any exchange of a portion of a temporary Global Security for a definitive Global Security or for the individual Securities represented thereby pursuant to this Section 3.04 or Section 3.06, the temporary Global Security shall be endorsed by the Registrar to reflect the reduction of the principal amount evidenced thereby, whereupon the principal amount of such temporary Global Security shall be reduced for all purposes by the amount so exchanged and endorsed.
Section 3.05. Registrar.
(a) The Company shall keep, at an office or agency to be maintained by it in a Place of Payment where Securities may be presented for registration or presented and surrendered for registration of transfer or of exchange, and where Securities of any series that are convertible or exchangeable may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, as applicable (the “Registrar”), a security register for the registration and the registration of transfer or of exchange of the Securities (the registers maintained in such office and in any other office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment being herein sometimes collectively referred to as the “Register”), as in this Indenture provided, which Register shall be open for inspection by the Trustee during business hours on business days in the location of the Registrar. Such Register shall be in written form or in any other form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable time. The Company may have one or more co-Registrars; the term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar.
(b) The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Registrar or co-Registrar not a party to this Indenture. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such agent. The Company shall notify the Trustee of the name and address of each such agent. If the Company fails to maintain a Registrar for any series, the Trustee shall act as such. The Company or any Affiliate thereof may act as Registrar, co-Registrar or transfer agent.
(c) The Company hereby initially appoints [ ] at its Corporate Trust Office as Registrar in connection with the Securities and this Indenture, until such time as another Person is appointed as such in replacement of the Trustee as such. So long as the Trustee serves as Registrar, it will be entitled as Registrar to the same rights of compensation, reimbursement and indemnification under Section 10.01 and Section 10.02 as if it were Trustee. No Person shall at any time be appointed as or act as Registrar unless such Person is at such time empowered under applicable law to act as such Registrar.
16
Section 3.06. Transfer and Exchange.
(a) Generally.
(i) Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security of any series at the Registrar, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Securities of the same series of any authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount. The transfer of any Security shall not be valid as against the Company or the Trustee unless registered at the Registrar at the request of the Holder, or at the request of his, her or its attorney duly authorized in writing.
(ii) Subject to this Section 3.06(a) and Section 3.06(b), at the option of the Holder, Securities of any series may be exchanged for other Securities of the same series of any authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive. All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange. Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.
(iii) The provisions of clauses (A), (B), (C) and (D) below shall apply only to Global Securities:
(A) Each Global Security authenticated under this Indenture shall be registered in the name of the Depository designated for such Global Security or a nominee thereof and delivered to such Depository or a nominee thereof or custodian therefor, and each such Global Security shall constitute a single Security for all purposes of this Indenture.
(B) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, and subject to such applicable provisions, if any, as may be specified as contemplated in Section 3.01, no Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for Securities registered, and no transfer of a Global Security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name of any Person other than the Depository for such Global Security or a nominee thereof unless (A) such Depository (i) has notified the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depository for such Global Security or (ii) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and in each case, a successor depository is not appointed within 90 days, (B) there shall have occurred and be continuing a Default with respect to such Global Security, or (C) the Company, at its option, notifies the Trustee in writing that it elects to cause such transfer.
(C) Subject to clause (B) above, and subject to such applicable provisions, if any, as may be specified as contemplated in Section 3.01, any exchange of a Global Security for other Securities may be made in whole or in part, and all Securities issued in exchange for a Global Security or any portion thereof shall be registered in such names as the Depository for such Global Security shall direct.
(D) Every Security authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for or in lieu of, a Global Security or any portion thereof shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Security, unless such Security is registered in the name of a Person other than the Depository for such Global Security or a nominee thereof.
17
(b) Certain Transfers and Exchanges. Transfers and exchanges of Securities and beneficial interests in a Global Security of the kinds specified in this Section 3.06(b) shall be made only in accordance with this Section 3.06(b).
(i) Transfer of Beneficial Interests in Global Securities. The transfer of beneficial interests in Global Securities will be effected through the applicable Depository, in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the Applicable Procedures. The transferor of such beneficial interest in a Global Security must deliver to the Registrar both (A) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the applicable Depository in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the applicable Depository to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Security in an amount equal to the beneficial interests in a Global Security to be transferred or exchanged, and (B) instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited with such increase.
(ii) Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial Interests for Certificated Securities. If any one of the events listed in Section 3.06(a)(iii)(B) has occurred, (y) the Company has elected to cause the issuance of certificated Securities, transfers or exchanges of beneficial interests in a Global Security for a certificated Security shall be effected, or (z) any holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Security proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Certificated Security or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Certificated Security, then, upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 3.06(b)(i) hereof, the Trustee will cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Security to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 3.06(c) hereof, and the Company will execute and upon receipt of a Company Order the Trustee will authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Certificated Security in the appropriate principal amount. Any Certificated Security issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 3.06(b)(ii) will be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depository and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall deliver such Certificated Securities to the Persons in whose names such Securities are so registered. Any Certificated Security issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Global Security pursuant to this Section 3.06(b)(ii) will not bear a restrictive security legend.
(iii) Transfer and Exchange of Certificated Securities for Beneficial Interests. A Holder of a Certificated Security may exchange such Security for a beneficial interest in a Global Security or transfer such Certificated Security to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Global Security at any time. Upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the Paying Agent will cancel the applicable Certificated Security and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of one of the Global Securities. If any such exchange or transfer from a Certificated Security to a beneficial interest in a Global Security is effected at a time when a Global Security has not yet been issued, the Company will issue and, upon receipt of a Company Order, the Trustee will authenticate one or more Global Securities in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Certificated Securities so transferred.
(iv) Transfer of Certificated Securities for Certificated Securities. A Holder of Certificated Securities may transfer such Securities to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Certificated Security. Upon request by a Holder of Certificated Securities and such Holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 3.06(b)(iv), the Registrar will register the transfer of Certificated Securities pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder must present or surrender to the Registrar the Certificated Securities duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing..
18
(c) Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Securities. At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Security have been exchanged for Certificated Securities or a particular Certificated Security has been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Security will be returned to or retained and canceled by the Paying Agent in accordance with Section 3.09 hereof. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Security is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Security or for Certificated Securities, the principal amount of Securities represented by such Global Security will be reduced accordingly and an endorsement will be made on such Global Security by the Registrar or by the Depository at the direction of the Registrar to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest in a Global Security is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Security, such other Global Security will be increased accordingly and an endorsement will be made on such Global Security by the Registrar or by the Depository at the direction of the Registrar to reflect such increase.
(d) The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer or exchange imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer or exchange of any interest in any Security (including any transfers between or among Participants or beneficial owners in any Global Security) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.
Section 3.07. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.
(a) If (i) any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office or (ii) the Company and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security, and there is delivered to the Company and the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to them to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless, and neither the Company nor the Trustee receives notice that such Security has been acquired by a protected purchaser, then the Company shall execute and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same series and of like tenor, form, terms and principal amount, bearing a number not contemporaneously Outstanding, and neither gain nor loss in interest shall result from such exchange or substitution.
(b) In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay the amount due on such Security in accordance with its terms.
(c) Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section 3.07, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in respect thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) in connection therewith.
(d) Every new Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section 3.07 shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that series duly issued hereunder.
19
(e) The provisions of this Section 3.07 are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.
Section 3.08. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.
(a) Interest on any Security which is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Record Date for such interest notwithstanding the cancellation of such Security upon any transfer or exchange subsequent to the Record Date. Payment of interest on Securities shall be made at the Corporate Trust Office (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01) or, at the option of the Company by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Register or, in accordance with arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee, by wire transfer to an account designated by the Holder.
(b) Any interest on any Security that is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the relevant Record Date by virtue of his, her or its having been such a Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (i) or (ii) below:
(i) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names such Securities (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest (a “Special Record Date”), which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each such Security and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be given to each Holder of Securities of such series, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been given as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names such Securities (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (ii).
(ii) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on Securities in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed or of any automated quotation system on which any such Securities may be quoted, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange or quotation system, as applicable, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.
(c) Subject to the foregoing provisions in this Section 3.08, each Security delivered under this Indenture in exchange or substitution for, or upon registration of transfer of, any other Security shall carry all the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, if any, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.
20
Section 3.09. Cancellation. Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of any series, all Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange or otherwise shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Paying Agent, be delivered to the Paying Agent for cancellation and shall be promptly cancelled by it and, if surrendered to the Paying Agent, shall be promptly cancelled by it. The Company may at any time deliver to the Paying Agent for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder that the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Paying Agent for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated hereunder that the Company has not issued or sold, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Paying Agent. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. The Paying Agent shall dispose of all cancelled Securities held by it in accordance with its then customary procedures, unless otherwise directed by a Company Order, and deliver a certificate of such disposal to the Company upon its request therefor. The acquisition of any Securities by the Company shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the Indebtedness represented thereby unless and until such Securities are surrendered to the Paying Agent for cancellation.
Section 3.10. Computation of Interest. Except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
Section 3.11. Currency of Payments in Respect of Securities.
(a) The Company may provide pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of any series that (i) the obligation, if any, of the Company to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, the Securities of any series in a Foreign Currency or U.S. Dollars (the “Designated Currency”) as may be specified pursuant to Section 3.01 is of the essence and agrees that, to the fullest extent possible under applicable law, judgments in respect of such Securities shall be given in the Designated Currency; (ii) the obligation of the Company to make payments in the Designated Currency of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Securities shall, notwithstanding any payment in any other Currency (whether pursuant to a judgment or otherwise), be discharged only to the extent of the amount in the Designated Currency that the Holder receiving such payment may, in accordance with normal banking procedures, purchase with the sum paid in such other Currency (after any premium and cost of exchange) on the business day in the country of issue of the Designated Currency or in the international banking community (in the case of a composite currency) immediately following the day on which such Holder receives such payment; (iii) if the amount in the Designated Currency that may be so purchased for any reason falls short of the amount originally due, the Company shall pay such additional amounts as may be necessary to compensate for such shortfall; and (iv) any obligation of the Company not discharged by such payment shall be due as a separate and independent obligation and, until discharged as provided herein, shall continue in full force and effect. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of any series, payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, Securities of such series shall be made in U.S. Dollars.
(b) If the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, on any Security is payable in a Foreign Currency and such Currency is not available to the Company for making payment thereof due to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond the control of the Company, the Company shall be entitled to satisfy its obligations to Holders of the Securities by making such payment in U.S. Dollars in an amount equivalent of the amount payable in such other Currency at the Exchange Rate as determined pursuant to clause (d) below. Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary herein, any payment made under such circumstances in U.S. Dollars where the required payment is in a Currency other than U.S. Dollars shall not constitute an Event of Default under this Indenture.
(c) For purposes of any provision of this Indenture where the Holders of Outstanding Securities may perform an action that requires that a specified percentage of the Outstanding Securities of all series
21
perform such action and for purposes of any determination by the Trustee of amounts due and unpaid for the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, the Securities of all series in respect of which moneys are to be disbursed ratably, the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, the Outstanding Securities denominated in a Foreign Currency shall be the amount in U.S. Dollars based upon the Exchange Rate as determined pursuant to clause (d) below (or as specified pursuant to Section 3.01, if applicable) for Securities of such series, as of the date for determining whether the Holders entitled to perform such action have performed it or as of the date of such determination by the Trustee, as the case may be.
(d) Any decision or determination to be made regarding the Exchange Rate shall be made by the Company or an agent appointed by the Company (the Company, in such capacity, or such agent, the “Currency Determination Agent”); provided that such agent shall accept such appointment in writing and the terms of such appointment shall, in the opinion of the Company at the time of such appointment, require such agent to make such determination by a method consistent with the method provided pursuant to Section 3.01 for the making of such decision or determination. Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01, “Exchange Rate” shall mean, for any Currency, the noon buying rate in New York City for cable transfers for such Currency as the applicable Exchange Rate, as such rate is reported or otherwise made available by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the date of such payment, or, if such rate is not then available, on the basis of the most recently available rate. All decisions and determinations of such agent regarding the Exchange Rate shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive for all purposes and irrevocably binding upon the Company, the Trustee and all Holders of the Securities.
Section 3.12. CUSIP Numbers. The Company in issuing any Securities may use CUSIP, ISIN or other similar numbers, if then generally in use, and thereafter with respect to such series, the Trustee may use such numbers in any notice of redemption or exchange, as a convenience to Holders, with respect to such series; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee and the Agents of any change in the CUSIP, ISIN or other similar numbers.
ARTICLE IV
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
Section 4.01. Applicability of Right of Redemption. Redemption of Securities permitted by the terms of any series of Securities shall be made (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article IV; provided, however, that if any such terms of a series of Securities shall conflict with any provision of this Article IV, the terms of such series shall govern.
Section 4.02. Selection of Securities to be Redeemed.
(a) If the Company shall at any time elect to redeem all or any portion of the Securities of a series then Outstanding, it shall at least 15 days (or such shorter period acceptable to the Trustee) prior to the date the notice of redemption is to be mailed, notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities to be redeemed. If less than all of the Securities in any series are to be redeemed, the Securities for redemption will be selected as follows: (i) if such Securities are listed on any securities exchange, in compliance with the requirements of the securities exchange on which such Securities are then traded or if such Securities are held through the clearing systems, in compliance with the requirements of the applicable clearing systems; or (ii) if such Securities are not listed on any securities exchange, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee deems fair and appropriate, unless otherwise required by law; provided that, in each case, the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of any Security shall be in an authorized denomination (which shall not be less than the minimum authorized denomination) for such Security. In any case where more than one Security of such series is registered in the same name, the Trustee may treat the aggregate principal amount so registered as if it were represented by one Security of such series.
22
(b) For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Security redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Security that has been or is to be redeemed. If the Company shall so direct, Securities registered in the name of the Company, any Affiliate or any Subsidiary thereof shall not be included in the Securities selected for redemption.
Section 4.03. Notice of Redemption.
(a) Notice of redemption shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request (which may be rescinded or revoked at any time prior to the time at which the Trustee shall have given such notice to the Holders), by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company, not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, to the Holders of Securities of any series to be redeemed in whole or in part pursuant to this Article IV, in the manner provided in Section 15.04; provided that the Trustee be provided with the draft notice at least 15 days (or such shorter period acceptable to the Trustee) prior to sending such notice of redemption. Any notice given in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. Failure to give such notice, or any defect in such notice to the Holder of any Security of a series designated for redemption, in whole or in part, shall not affect the sufficiency of any notice of redemption with respect to the Holder of any other Security of such series.
(b) All notices of redemption shall identify the Securities to be redeemed (including CUSIP, ISIN or other similar numbers, if available) and shall state:
(i) such election by the Company to redeem Securities of such series pursuant to provisions contained in this Indenture or the terms of the Securities of such series in a Company Order, Officer’s Certificate or a supplemental indenture establishing such series, if such be the case;
(ii) the Redemption Date;
(iii) the Redemption Price (or the manner in which the Redemption Price will be calculated);
(iv) if less than all Outstanding Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amounts) of the Securities of such series to be redeemed;
(v) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price shall become due and payable upon each such Security to be redeemed, and that, if applicable, interest thereon shall cease to accrue on and after said date; and
(vi) (if the Notes are in certificated form) the Place or Places of Payment where such Securities are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price.
Section 4.04. Deposit of Redemption Price. On or prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on each Redemption Date for any Securities, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the
23
Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 5.03) an amount of money in the Currency in which such Securities are denominated (except as provided pursuant to Section 3.01) sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of and accrued interest on such Securities or any portions thereof that are to be redeemed on that date. The Paying Agent shall not be bound to make any payment until it has received in immediately available and cleared funds the full amount due to be paid to it pursuant to this Section 4.04.
Section 4.05. Securities Payable on Redemption Date. If notice of redemption has been given as above provided, any Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price and from and after such date (unless the Company shall Default in the payment of the Redemption Price) such Securities shall cease to bear interest, and, except as provided in Section 11.07, such Securities shall cease from and after the Redemption Date to be entitled to any benefit or security under this Indenture, and the Holders thereof shall have no right in respect of such Securities except the right to receive the Redemption Price thereof and unpaid interest to the Redemption Date. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security shall be paid by the Trustee or Paying Agent with the moneys deposited in accordance with Section 4.04 above at the Redemption Price (unless the Company shall Default in the payment of the Redemption Price); provided, however, that (unless otherwise provided pursuant to Section 3.01) installments of interest that have a Stated Maturity on or prior to the Redemption Date for such Securities shall be payable according to the terms of such Securities and the provisions of Section 3.08.
If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal thereof shall, until paid or duly provided for, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the Security.
Section 4.06. Securities Redeemed in Part. Any Security that is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at the Corporate Trust Office or such other office or agency of the Company as is specified pursuant to Section 3.01 with, if the Company, the Registrar or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company, the Registrar and the Trustee duly executed by the Holder thereof or his, her or its attorney duly authorized in writing, and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security, without service charge, a new Security or Securities of the same series, of like tenor and form, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered; provided that if a Global Security is so surrendered, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Depository for such Global Security, without service charge, a new Global Security in a denomination equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Global Security so surrendered. In the case of a Security providing appropriate space for such notation, at the option of the Holder thereof, the Trustee, in lieu of delivering a new Security or Securities as aforesaid, may make a notation on such Security of the payment of the redeemed portion thereof.
Section 4.07. Tax Redemption.
(a) Each series of Securities may be redeemed at any time, at the option of the Company, in whole but not in part, upon notice as described below, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date), if (i) as a result of any change in, or amendment to, the laws or regulations of the Relevant Jurisdiction (or, in the case of Additional Amounts payable by a successor Person to the Company, the applicable Successor Jurisdiction), or any change in the official application or official interpretation of such laws or regulations, which change or amendment becomes effective on or after the Issue Date (or, in the case of Additional Amounts payable by a successor Person to the Company, the date on which such successor Person to the Company became such pursuant to this Indenture) (a “Tax Change”), the Company or any such successor Person to the Company is, or would be, obligated to pay Additional Amounts upon the next payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest in respect of such Securities and (ii) such obligation cannot be avoided by the Company or any such successor Person to the Company taking reasonable measures available to it, provided that changing the jurisdiction of organization or tax residency of the Company or such successor Person to the Company is not a reasonable measure for purposes of this Section 4.07(a).
24
(b) Prior to the giving of any notice of redemption of the Securities pursuant to Section 4.07(a), the Company or any such successor Person to the Company shall deliver to the Trustee (i) a notice of such redemption election, (ii) an opinion of Legal Counsel or an opinion of an Independent Tax Consultant to the effect that the Company or any such successor Person to the Company is, or would become, obligated to pay such Additional Amounts as the result of a Tax Change and (iii) an Officer’s Certificate from the Company or any such successor Person to the Company, stating that such amendment or change has occurred, describing the facts leading thereto and stating that such requirement cannot be avoided by the Company or any such successor Person to the Company taking reasonable measures available to it.
(c) Notice of such a redemption of the Securities shall be given to the Holders of such Securities not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date. Notice having been given, the Securities shall become due and payable on the Redemption Date and will be paid at the Redemption Price, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date), at the place or places of payment and in the manner specified in the Securities or this Indenture. From and after the Redemption Date, if moneys for the redemption of the Securities shall have been made available as provided in this Indenture for redemption on the Redemption Date, the Securities shall cease to bear interest, and the only right of the Holders of the Securities shall be to receive payment of the Redemption Price and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the Redemption Date.
Section 4.08. Open Market Purchase. The Company or any of its Controlled Entities may, in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations, at any time purchase the Notes in the open market or otherwise at any price, so long as such purchase does not otherwise violate the terms of the Indenture. The Notes so purchased, while held by or on behalf of the Company or any of its Controlled Entities, shall not be deemed to be outstanding for the purposes of determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of outstanding Notes have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder. The Notes that the Company or its Affiliates purchase may, in the discretion of the Company, be held, resold or canceled, but will only be resold in compliance with applicable requirements or exemptions under the relevant securities laws.
ARTICLE V
PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
The Company hereby covenants and agrees as follows:
Section 5.01. Payments of Principal, Premium and Interest. The Company, for the benefit of each series of Securities, shall duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, each series of Securities, at the dates and place and in the manner provided in the Securities and in this Indenture.
Section 5.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency; Paying Agent.
(a) The Company shall maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities, if any, an office or agency where Securities may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Securities of such series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities and this Indenture may be served. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such
25
presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee. The Company hereby initially appoints [ ]as Paying Agent to receive all presentations, surrenders, notices and demands. So long as the Trustee serves as Paying Agent, it will be entitled as Paying Agent to the same rights of compensation, reimbursement and indemnification under Section 10.01 and Section 10.02 as if it were Trustee.
(b) The Company may also from time to time designate different or additional offices or agencies where the Securities of any series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes (in or outside of such Place of Payment), and may from time to time rescind any such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligations described in the preceding paragraph. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such additional designation or rescission of designation and of any change in the location of any such different or additional office or agency. The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Paying Agent not a party to this Indenture. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such agent. The Company shall notify the Trustee of the name and address of each such agent. The Company or any Affiliate thereof may act as Paying Agent and shall inform the Trustee of the same.
(c) With respect to any Global Security, and except as otherwise may be specified for such Global Security as contemplated by Section 3.01, the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee shall be the Place of Payment where such Global Security may be presented or surrendered for payment or for registration of transfer or exchange, or where successor Securities may be delivered in exchange therefor; provided, however, that any such payment, presentation, surrender or delivery effected pursuant to the Applicable Procedures of the Depository for such Global Security shall be deemed to have been effected at the Place of Payment for such Global Security in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.
Section 5.03. To Hold Payment in Trust.
(a) If the Company or an Affiliate thereof shall at any time act as Paying Agent with respect to any series of Securities, then, on or before the date on which the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, on any of the Securities of that series by their terms or as a result of the calling thereof for redemption shall become payable, the Company or such Affiliate shall segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities or the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay such principal, premium, if any, or interest, which shall have so become payable until such sums shall be paid to such Holders or otherwise disposed of as herein provided, and shall notify the Trustee of its action or failure to act in that regard.
Upon any proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code or any applicable state bankruptcy laws with respect to the Company or any Affiliate thereof, if the Company or such Affiliate is then acting as Paying Agent, the Trustee shall promptly replace the Company or such Affiliate as Paying Agent.
(b) If the Company shall appoint, and at the time have, a Paying Agent for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, on any series of Securities, then prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date on which the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, on any of the Securities of that series shall become payable as above provided, whether by their terms or as a result of the calling thereof for redemption, the Company shall deposit with such Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay such principal, premium, if any, or interest, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee), the Company or any other obligor of such Securities shall promptly notify the Trustee of its payment or failure to make such payment. The Paying Agent shall not be bound to make any payment until it has received in immediately available and cleared funds the full amount due to be paid to it pursuant to this Section 5.03(b).
(c) If the Paying Agent shall be a Person other than the Trustee, the Company shall cause such Paying Agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 5.03, that such Paying Agent shall:
26
(i) comply with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act applicable to it as Paying Agent;
(ii) hold all moneys held by it for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, on the Securities of that series in trust for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities until such sums shall be paid to such Holders or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;
(iii) give to the Trustee notice of any Default by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities of that series in the making of any payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, on the Securities of that series; and
(iv) at any time during the continuance of any such Default, upon the written request of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent.
(d) Anything in this Section 5.03 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a release, satisfaction or discharge of this Indenture or for any other reason, pay or cause to be paid to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee as required by this Section 5.03, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent and, upon such payment by a Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such moneys.
(e) Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium, if any, or interest, has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company upon Company Order and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment of such amounts without interest thereon, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in a newspaper published in the English language, customarily published on each Business Day and of general circulation in the City of New York, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining shall be repaid to the Company. Subject to written instructions from the Company, any unclaimed funds held by the Trustee or the Paying Agent (as the case may be) may be invested and any interest accumulated thereon shall be paid to the Company by the Trustee or the Paying Agent (as the case may be). If the bank or institution with which the unclaimed funds are invested is the Trustee or a Subsidiary, holding or associated company of the Trustee, it need only account for an amount of interest equal to the amount of interest which would, at the then current rates, be payable by it on such a deposit to an independent customer. The Trustee or the Paying Agent (as the case may be) shall not be responsible for any resulting loss from any such investment made in accordance with the written direction of the Company, whether by depreciation in value, change in exchange rates or interest rates or otherwise and shall not be liable to the Company, the Holders or any other Person.
Section 5.04. Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets. Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to any series of Securities:
(a) The Company shall not consolidate with or merge into any other Person in a transaction in which the Company is not the surviving entity, or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to, any Person, unless
27
(i) any Person formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company is merged or to whom the Company has conveyed, transferred or leased its properties and assets substantially as an entirety is a corporation, partnership, trust or other entity validly existing under the laws of the State of Nevada and such Person expressly assumes by an indenture supplemental to this Indenture all the obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the Securities, including the obligation to pay Additional Amounts with respect to any jurisdiction in which it is organized or resident for tax purposes;
(ii) immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and
(iii) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an opinion of Legal Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and such supplemental indenture comply with this Indenture and that all conditions precedent therein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.
(b) Upon any consolidation with or merger into any other entity, or any sale other than for cash, or any conveyance or lease, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in accordance with this Section 5.04, the successor entity formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company is merged or to which the Company is sold or to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor entity had been named as the Company herein, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Company shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities, and from time to time such successor entity may exercise each and every right and power of the Company under this Indenture, in the name of the Company, or in its own name; and any act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture required or permitted to be done by the Board of Directors or any officer of the Company may be done with like force and effect by the like board of directors or officer of any entity that shall at the time be the successor of the Company hereunder. In the event of any such sale or conveyance, but not any such lease, the Company (or any successor entity which shall theretofore have become such in the manner described in this Section 5.04) shall be discharged from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities and may thereupon be dissolved and liquidated.
Section 5.05. [Reserved]
Section 5.06. Repurchase Upon Triggering Event. The following shall apply with respect to the Securities so long as any of the Securities remain outstanding:
(a) If a Triggering Event occurs, unless the Company has exercised its right to redeem all of the Securities of a particular series pursuant to Section 3.01 or Section 4.07 hereof, the Company shall make an offer to repurchase all or, at the Holder’s option, any part (equal to US$2,000 or multiples of US$1,000 in excess thereof (or such other denominations in which such Securities are issuable)) of each Holder’s Securities pursuant to the offer described below (the “Triggering Event Offer”), at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Securities repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Securities repurchased to, but not including, the date of purchase (the “Triggering Event Payment”) (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date). Within 30 days following any Triggering Event, unless the Company has exercised its right to redeem all of the Outstanding Securities pursuant Section 3.01 or Section 4.07 hereof, the Company will send a notice of such Triggering Event Offer to each Holder or otherwise give notice in accordance with the Applicable Procedures, with a copy to the Trustee, stating:
28
(i) that a Triggering Event Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 5.06, including a description of the transaction or transactions that constitute the Triggering Event, and that all Securities properly tendered pursuant to such Triggering Event Offer will be accepted for purchase by the Company at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of such Securities plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on such Securities to the date of purchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date);
(ii) the purchase date (which shall be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is sent) (the “Triggering Event Payment Date”);
(iii) that the Securities of any series must be tendered in amounts of US$2,000 or multiples of US$1,000 in excess thereof (or such other denominations in which such Securities are issuable), and any Security not properly tendered will remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest;
(iv) that, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Triggering Event Payment, any Security accepted for payment pursuant to the Triggering Event Offer will cease to accrue interest on and after the Triggering Event Payment Date;
(v) that Holders electing to have any Securities purchased pursuant to a Triggering Event Offer will be required to surrender such Securities, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of such Securities completed, to the Paying Agent specified in the notice at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Triggering Event Payment Date;
(vi) that Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their tendered Securities and their election to require the Company to purchase such Securities; provided that the Paying Agent receives at the address specified in the notice, not later than the close of business on the 30th day following the date of the Triggering Event notice, a telegram, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder of the Securities, the principal amount of Securities tendered for purchase, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing its tendered Securities and its election to have such Securities purchased;
(vii) that if a Holder is tendering less than all of its Securities, such Holder will be issued new Securities equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Securities surrendered (the unpurchased portion of the Securities must be equal to US$2,000 or an integral multiple of US$1,000 in excess thereof (or such other denominations in which such Securities are issuable)); and
(viii) the other instructions, as determined by the Company consistent with this Section 5.06, that a Holder must follow.
The notice, if sent in a manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. If (A) the notice is sent in a manner herein provided and (B) any Holder fails to receive such notice or a Holder receives such notice but it is defective, such Holder’s failure to receive such notice or such defect shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the purchase of the Securities as to all other Holders that properly received such notice without defect.
(b) On the Triggering Event Payment Date, the Company will, to the extent lawful:
29
(i) accept for payment all Securities or portions of Securities (of US$2,000 or integral multiples of US$1,000 in excess thereof or such other denominations for which such securities are issuable) properly tendered pursuant to the Triggering Event Offer;
(ii) deposit with the Paying Agent, one Business Day prior to the Triggering Event Payment Date, an amount of cash in U.S. Dollars equal to the Triggering Event Payment in respect of all Securities or portions of Securities properly tendered at least three Business Days prior to the Triggering Event Payment Date; and
(iii) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Paying Agent for cancellation the Securities properly accepted together with an Officer’s Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Securities or portions of Securities being purchased by the Company in accordance with the terms of this Section 5.06.
(c) The Paying Agent shall promptly send, to each Holder who properly tendered Securities, the purchase price for such Securities properly tendered, and the Trustee shall promptly authenticate and send (or cause to be transferred by book-entry) to each such Holder a new Security equal in principal amount equal to any unpurchased portion of the Securities surrendered, if any; provided that each new Security will be in a principal amount of US$2,000 or a multiple of US$1,000 in excess thereof (or such other denominations in which such Securities are issuable) (or, if less, the remaining principal amount thereof).
(d) If the Triggering Event Payment Date is on or after the relevant Record Date and on or before the related Interest Payment Date, any accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the Triggering Event Payment Date shall be paid on such Interest Payment Date to the Person in whose name a Security is registered at the close of business on such Record Date.
(e) The Company will not be required to make a Triggering Event Offer upon a Triggering Event if a third party makes such an offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for an offer made by the Company and such third party purchases all Securities properly tendered and not withdrawn under its offer. In the event that such third party terminates or defaults its offer, the Company will be required to make a Triggering Event Offer treating the date of such termination or default as though it were the date of the Triggering Event.
(f) The Company shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act, to the extent applicable, and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Securities as a result of a Triggering Event. To the extent that the provision of any such securities laws or regulations conflicts with the Triggering Event Offer provisions of the Securities, the Company will comply with those securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under the Triggering Event Offer provisions of the Securities by virtue of any such conflict.
Section 5.07. Additional Amounts.
(a) All payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest made by the Company in respect of any Security shall be made without withholding or deduction for, or on account of, any present or future taxes, duties, assessments or governmental charges of whatever nature (collectively, “Taxes”) imposed or levied by or within the State of Nevada (including any political subdivision or any authority therein or thereof having power to tax) (each, a “Relevant Jurisdiction”), unless such withholding or deduction of such Taxes is required by law. If the Company is required to make such withholding or deduction, the Company shall pay such
30
additional amounts (“Additional Amounts”) as will result in receipt by each Holder of Securities of such amounts as would have been received by such Holder had no such withholding or deduction of such Taxes been required, except that no such Additional Amounts shall be payable:
(i) in respect of any such Taxes that would not have been imposed, deducted or withheld but for the existence of any connection (whether present or former) between the Holder or beneficial owner of a Security and the Relevant Jurisdiction other than merely holding such Security or receiving principal, premium, if any, or interest, in respect thereof (including such Holder or beneficial owner being or having been a national, domiciliary or resident of such Relevant Jurisdiction or treated as a resident thereof or being or having been physically present or engaged in a trade or business therein or having or having had a permanent establishment therein);
(ii) in respect of any Security presented for payment (where presentation is required) more than 30 days after the relevant date, except to the extent that the Holder thereof would have been entitled to such Additional Amounts on presenting the same for payment on the last day of such 30-day period. For this purpose, the “relevant date” in relation to any Security means the later of (a) the due date for such payment or (b) the date such payment was made or duly provided for;
(iii) in respect of any Taxes that would not have been imposed, deducted or withheld but for a failure of the Holder or beneficial owner of a Security to comply with a timely request by the Company addressed to the Holder or beneficial owner to provide information concerning such Holder’s or beneficial owner’s nationality, residence, identity or connection with any Relevant Jurisdiction, if and to the extent that due and timely compliance with such request is required under the tax laws of such jurisdiction in order to reduce or eliminate any withholding or deduction as to which Additional Amounts would have otherwise been payable to such Holder;
(iv) in respect of any Taxes imposed as a result of a Security being presented for payment (where presentation is required) in the Relevant Jurisdiction, unless such Security could not have been presented for payment elsewhere;
(v) in respect of any estate, inheritance, gift, sale, use, value added, excise, transfer, personal property, wealth, interest equalization or similar Taxes (other than any sales, use, gross receipts, commerce, franchise or similar Taxes imposed by the State of Nevada or any political subdivision thereof if the Company were to be deemed a Nevada tax resident);
(vi) to any Holder of a Security that is a fiduciary, partnership or person other than the sole beneficial owner of any payment to the extent that such payment would be required by the laws of the Relevant Jurisdiction to be included in the income, for tax purposes, of a beneficiary or settlor with respect to the fiduciary, or a member of that partnership or a beneficial owner who would not have been entitled to such Additional Amounts had that beneficiary, settlor, partner or beneficial owner been the Holder thereof;
(vii) [Reserved]
(viii) with respect to any withholding or deduction that is imposed in connection with Sections 1471-1474 of the Code and U.S. Treasury Regulations thereunder (“FATCA”), any intergovernmental agreement between the United States and any other jurisdiction implementing or relating to FATCA or any non-U.S. law, regulation or guidance enacted or issued with respect thereto;
(ix) in respect of any such Taxes payable otherwise than by deduction or withholding from payments under or with respect to any Security; or
31
(x) in respect of any combination of Taxes referred to in the preceding clauses (i) through (ix) above.
(b) In the event that any withholding or deduction for or on account of any Taxes is required and Additional Amounts are payable with respect thereto, at least 30 days prior to each date of payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest, on the Securities, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee and the Paying Agent, if other than the Trustee, an Officer’s Certificate specifying the amount required to be withheld or deducted on such payments to Holders, certifying that the Company shall pay such amounts required to be withheld to the appropriate governmental authority and certifying to the fact that the Additional Amounts will be payable and the amounts so payable to each Holder, and that the Company will pay to the Trustee or such Paying Agent the Additional Amounts required to be paid; provided that no such Officer’s Certificate will be required prior to any date of payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest, on such Securities if there has been no change with respect to the matters set forth in a prior Officer’s Certificate. The Trustee and each Paying Agent may rely on the fact that any Officer’s Certificate contemplated by this Section 5.07(b) has not been furnished as evidence of the fact that no withholding or deduction for or on account of any Taxes is required. The Company covenants to indemnify the Trustee and any Paying Agent for and to hold them harmless against any loss or liability incurred without fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct on their part arising out of or in connection with actions taken or omitted by any of them in reliance on any such Officer’s Certificate furnished pursuant to this Section 5.07(b) or on the fact that any Officer’s Certificate contemplated by this Section 5.07(b) has not been furnished.
(c) Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, in respect of any Security, such mention shall be deemed to include the payment of Additional Amounts provided for in this Indenture, to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to this Indenture.
(d) Sections 5.07(a), (b) and (c) shall apply in the same manner with respect to the jurisdiction in which any successor Person to the Company is organized or resident for tax purposes or any authority therein or thereof having the power to tax (a “Successor Jurisdiction”), substituting such Successor Jurisdiction for the Relevant Jurisdiction.
(e) The obligation of the Company to make payments of Additional Amounts under this Section 5.07 shall survive any termination, defeasance or discharge of this Indenture.
Section 5.08. Payment for Consent. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Controlled Entities to, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration to or for the benefit of any Holder for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture or any series of the Securities unless such consideration is offered to be paid and is paid to all Holders of such series of Securities as may be affected thereby that consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in the solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or amendment
Section 5.09. [Reserved]
Section 5.10. Compliance Certificate. The Company shall furnish to the Trustee (a) annually, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company and, (b) upon written request by the Trustee, within 14 days of such request, a brief certificate from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or treasurer as to his or her knowledge of the Company’s compliance with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture (which compliance shall be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided under this Indenture), specifying if any Default has occurred and, in the event that
32
any Default has occurred, specifying each such Default and the nature and status thereof of which such person may have knowledge.
Section 5.11. Conditional Waiver by Holders of Securities. Except as otherwise specified or contemplated by Section 3.01 for Securities of such series, anything in this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company may fail or omit in any particular instance to comply with any covenant or condition set forth herein with respect to any series of Securities if the Company shall have obtained and filed with the Trustee, prior to the time of such failure or omission, evidence (as provided in Article VII) of the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount (or such other number of Holders as may be required by Section 13.02) of the Securities of such series affected by such waiver and at the time Outstanding, either waiving such compliance in such instance or generally waiving compliance with such covenant or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such covenant or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, or impair any right consequent thereon and, until such waiver shall have become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such covenant or condition shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 5.12. Statement by Officers as to Default. The Company shall deliver to the Trustee promptly and in any event within 30 days after the Company becomes aware of the occurrence of any Event of Default or an event which, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default, an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the details of such Event of Default or Default and the action which the Company proposes to take with respect thereto.
ARTICLE VI
REMEDIES OF TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS
Section 6.01. Events of Default. Except where otherwise indicated by the context or where the term is otherwise defined for a specific purpose, the term “Event of Default” as used in this Indenture with respect to Securities of any series shall mean one of the following described events unless it is either inapplicable to a particular series or it is specifically deleted or modified in the manner contemplated in Section 3.01:
(a) the Company fails to pay principal or premium, if any, in respect of a Security of such series by the due date for such payment (whether at Stated Maturity or upon repurchase, acceleration, redemption or otherwise);
(b) the Company fails to pay interest on a Security of such series within 30 days after the due date for such payment;
(c) the Company defaults in the performance of or breaches its obligations under Section 5.04;
(d) the Company, subject to the provisions of Section 5.11, defaults in the performance of or breaches any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or under the Securities of such series (other than a default specified in clause (a), (b) or (c) above) and such default or breach continues for a period of 30 consecutive days after written notice by the Trustee or the Holders of 25% or more in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding;
(e) the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of (i) a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company or any Principal Controlled Entity of the Company in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law or (ii) a decree or order adjudging the Company or
33
any Principal Controlled Entity of the Company bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as final and nonappealable a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, or composition of or in respect of the Company or any Principal Controlled Entity of the Company under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law, or appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator, or other similar official of the Company or any Principal Controlled Entity of the Company or of any substantial part of its or their respective property, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of their respective affairs (or any similar relief granted under any foreign laws), and in any such case the continuance of any such decree or order for relief or any such other decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days;
(f) the commencement by the Company or any Principal Controlled Entity of the Company of a voluntary case or proceeding under any applicable federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law or of any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by the Company or any Principal Controlled Entity to the entry of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company or any Principal Controlled Entity of the Company in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law or the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against the Company or any Principal Controlled Entity, or the filing by the Company or any Principal Controlled Entity of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief with respect to the Company or any Principal Controlled Entity of the Company under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law, or the consent by the Company or any Principal Controlled Entity to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator, or other similar official of the Company or any Principal Controlled Entity of the Company or of any substantial part of its or their respective property pursuant to any such law, or the making by the Company or any Principal Controlled Entity of the Company of a general assignment for the benefit of creditors in respect of any indebtedness as a result of an inability to pay such indebtedness as it becomes due, or the admission by the Company or any Principal Controlled Entity of the Company in writing of the inability of the Company to pay its debts generally as they become due, or the taking of corporate action by the Company or any Principal Controlled Entity of the Company that resolves to commence any such action;
(g) the Securities of such series or this Indenture is or becomes or is claimed by the Company to be unenforceable, invalid or ceases to be in full force and effect otherwise than is permitted by this Indenture; or
(h) the occurrence of any other Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series as provided in Section 3.01;
provided, however, that a Default under Section 6.01(d) above will not constitute an Event of Default until the Trustee or the Holders of 25% or more in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding provide written notice to the Company of the Default and the Company does not cure such Default within the time specified in Section 6.01(d) above after receipt of such written notice. In the case of such written notice given to the Company by the Holders, the Company will provide a copy of such written notice to the Trustee.
Section 6.02. Acceleration; Rescission and Annulment.
(a) Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to any series of Securities, if any one or more of the above-described Events of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(e) or 6.01(f)) shall occur and be continuing with respect to Securities any series at the time Outstanding, then, and in each and every such case, during the continuance of any such Event of Default, the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding may, and the Trustee upon written directions of holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such Series outstanding shall (subject to being indemnified secured and/or pre-funded to its satisfaction), declare the unpaid principal (or, if the Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the unpaid principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of and accrued but unpaid interest, if any, on (and any Additional Amount payable in respect of) all the Securities of such series then
34
Outstanding to be due and payable by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon receipt of such notice, such unpaid principal amount and accrued but unpaid interest, if any, shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(e) or 6.01(f) occurs and is continuing, then in every such case, the unpaid principal amount of all of the Securities of that series then Outstanding and all accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon shall automatically, and without any declaration or any other action on the part of the Trustee or any Holder, become due and payable immediately. Upon payment of such amounts in the Currency in which such Securities are denominated (subject to Section 3.11 and except as otherwise provided pursuant to Section 3.01), all obligations of the Company in respect of the payment of principal of and interest on the Securities of such series shall terminate.
(b) At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to the Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter provided in this Article VI, the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series at the time Outstanding may, subject to Sections 6.06 and 13.02, waive all past Defaults and rescind and annul such acceleration if:
(i) the rescission of the acceleration with respect to the Securities of such series would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction; and
(ii) all Events of Default with respect to the Securities of such series, other than the non-payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, on the Securities of such series that became due solely because of such acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 6.06.
(c) No rescission as provided in this Section 6.02 shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.
(d) For all purposes under this Indenture, if a portion of the principal of any Original Issue Discount Securities shall have been accelerated and declared due and payable pursuant to the provisions hereof, then, from and after such declaration, unless such declaration has been rescinded and annulled, the principal amount of such Original Issue Discount Securities shall be deemed, for all purposes hereunder, to be such portion of the principal thereof as shall be due and payable as a result of such acceleration, and payment of such portion of the principal thereof as shall be due and payable as a result of such acceleration, together with interest, if any, thereon and all other amounts owing thereunder, shall constitute payment in full of such Original Issue Discount Securities.
Section 6.03. Other Remedies. If the Company shall fail for a period of 30 days to pay any installment of interest on the Securities of any series or shall fail to pay the principal of and premium, if any, on any of the Securities of such series when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at Maturity, or by call for redemption, by declaration as authorized by this Indenture, or otherwise, then, upon demand of the Trustee, the Company shall pay to the Paying Agent, for the benefit of the Holders of Securities of such series then Outstanding, the whole amount which then shall have become due and payable on all the Securities of such series, with interest on the overdue principal and premium, if any, and (so far as the same may be legally enforceable) on the overdue installments of interest at the rate borne by the Securities of such series, and all amounts owing the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder under Section 10.01(a).
In case the Company shall fail forthwith to pay such amounts upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, shall be entitled and empowered to institute any action or proceeding, judicial or otherwise for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute any such action or proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities of such series, and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities of such series, wherever situated, in the manner provided by law. Every recovery of judgment in any such action or other proceeding, subject
35
to the payment to the Trustee of all amounts owing the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder under Section 10.01(a), shall be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of such series of Securities which shall be the subject of such action or proceeding. All rights of action upon or under any of the Securities or this Indenture may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities and without the production of any thereof at any trial or any proceeding relative thereto.
Section 6.04. Trustee as Attorney-in-Fact. The Trustee is hereby appointed, and each and every Holder of the Securities, by receiving and holding the same, shall be conclusively deemed to have appointed the Trustee, the true and lawful attorney-in-fact of such Holder, with authority to make or file (whether or not the Company shall be in Default in respect of the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, on, any of the Securities), in its own name and as trustee of an express trust or otherwise as it shall deem advisable, in any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or to their respective creditors or property, any and all claims, proofs of claim, proofs of debt, petitions, consents, other papers and documents and amendments of any thereof, as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder and of the Holders of the Securities allowed in any such proceeding and to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claim, and to execute and deliver any and all other papers and documents and to do and perform any and all other acts and things, as it may deem necessary or advisable in order to enforce in any such proceeding any of the claims of the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder and of any of such Holders in respect of any of the Securities; and any receiver, assignee, trustee, custodian or debtor in any such proceeding is hereby authorized, and each and every Holder of the Securities, by receiving and holding the same, shall be conclusively deemed to have authorized any such receiver, assignee, trustee, custodian or debtor, to make any such payment or delivery only to or on the order of the Trustee, and to pay to the Trustee any amount due it and any predecessor trustee hereunder under Section 10.01(a); provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize or empower the Trustee to consent to or accept or adopt, on behalf of any Holder of Securities, any plan of reorganization or readjustment affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize or empower the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder of any Securities in any such proceeding. In no event shall the foregoing attorney-in-fact authorization be construed as imposing any duty or obligation on the Trustee.
Section 6.05. Priorities. Any moneys or properties collected by the Trustee, or, after an Event of Default, any moneys or other property distributable in respect of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture, in either case with respect to a series of Securities under this Article VI shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee for the distribution of such moneys or properties and, in the case of the distribution of such moneys or properties on account of the Securities of any series, upon presentation of the Securities of such series, and stamping thereon the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof, if fully paid:
First: To the payment of all amounts due to the Trustee, any predecessor trustee, the Paying Agent, the transfer agent and the Registrar under Section 10.01(a) and the properly incurred expenses and disbursements of their agents, delegates, attorneys and counsel.
Second: In case the principal of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall not have become due and be unpaid, to the payment of interest ratably on the Securities of such series, in the chronological order of the Stated Maturity of the installments of such interest, with interest (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon the overdue installments of interest at the rate borne by such Securities, such payments to be made ratably to the Persons entitled thereto.
Third: In case the principal of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall have become due, by declaration or otherwise, to the payment of the whole amount then owing and unpaid upon the Securities of such series for principal and premium, if any, and interest with interest on the overdue principal and premium, if any, and (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon overdue installments of interest at the rate borne by the Securities of such series, and in case such moneys shall be insufficient to pay in full the whole amounts so due and unpaid upon the Securities of such series, then to the payment of such principal and premium, if any, and interest without preference or priority of principal and premium, if any, over interest, or of interest over principal and premium, if any, or of any installment of interest over any other installment of interest, or of any Security of
36
such series over any other Security of such series, ratably to the aggregate of such principal and premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any.
Fourth: Any surplus then remaining shall be paid to the Company, its successors or assigns, or to whomsoever may be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be so entitled.
Section 6.06. Control by Securityholders; Waiver of Past Defaults. The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee hereunder, or of exercising any trust or power hereby conferred upon the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series; provided, however, that, subject to the provisions of Section 10.02, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee determines that the action so directed may not lawfully be taken or would involve the Trustee in personal liability. The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of such series of Securities at the time Outstanding may on behalf of all Holders of the Securities of such series waive any existing or past Default or Event of Default and its consequences hereunder, except a continuing Default or Event of Default (i) in the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest, on (or Additional Amount payable in respect of), the Securities of such series then Outstanding, in which event the consent of all Holders of the Securities of such series then Outstanding affected thereby is required, or (ii) in respect of a covenant or provision which under Section 13.02 cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Security of such series then Outstanding affected thereby. Upon any such waiver, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities of such series shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; provided that no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. Whenever any Default or Event of Default hereunder shall have been waived as permitted by this Section 6.06, said Default or Event of Default shall for all purposes of the Securities of such series and this Indenture be deemed to have been cured and to be not continuing.
Section 6.07. Limitation on Suits. No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, for the execution of any trust hereunder or for the appointment of a receiver or for any other remedy hereunder, in each case with respect to an Event of Default with respect to such series of Securities, unless (i) such Holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Events of Default herein specified with respect to such series of Securities, (ii) the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding shall have requested the Trustee in writing to take action in respect of the matter complained of, (iii) there shall have been offered to the Trustee pre-funding, security and/or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby, and (iv) the Trustee, for 60 days after receipt of such notification, request and offer of security, pre-funding and/or indemnity, shall have failed to institute any such proceeding and have not received from the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding a direction inconsistent with such request; and such notification, request and offer of security, pre-funding and/or indemnity are hereby declared in every such case to be conditions precedent to any such proceeding by any Holder of any Security of such series; it being understood and intended that no one or more of the Holders of Securities of such series shall have any right in any manner whatsoever by his, her, its or their action to enforce any right hereunder, except in the manner herein provided, and that every proceeding, judicial or otherwise, shall be instituted, had and maintained in the manner herein provided and for the equal benefit of all Holders of the Outstanding Securities of such series; provided, however, that nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities of such series shall affect or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, the Securities of such series to the respective Holders of such Securities at the respective due dates in such Securities stated, or affect or impair the right, which is also absolute and unconditional, of such Holders to institute suit to enforce the payment thereof.
Section 6.08. Undertaking for Costs. All parties to this Indenture and each Holder of any Security, by such Holder’s acceptance thereof, shall be deemed to have agreed that any court may in its discretion require, in any action, suit or proceeding for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any action, suit or proceeding against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such action, suit or proceeding of an undertaking to pay the costs of such action, suit or proceeding, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any
37
party litigant in such action, suit or proceeding, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; provided, however, that the provisions of this Section 6.08 shall not apply to any action, suit or proceeding instituted by the Trustee, to any action, suit or proceeding instituted by any one or more Holders of Securities holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the Securities of any series Outstanding, or to any action, suit or proceeding instituted by any Holder of Securities of any series for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or the interest, on, any of the Securities of such series, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Securities.
Section 6.09. Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission Not Waiver. No remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders of Securities of any series is intended to be exclusive of any other remedy or remedies, and each and every remedy shall be cumulative and shall be in addition to every other remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or by statute. No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of the Securities of any series to exercise any right or power accruing upon any Default or Event of Default shall impair any such right or power or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such Default or Event of Default or an acquiescence therein; and every power and remedy given by this Article VI to the Trustee and to the Holders of Securities of any series, respectively, may be exercised from time to time and as often as may be deemed expedient by the Trustee or by the Holders of Securities of such series, as the case may be. In case the Trustee or any Holder of Securities of any series shall have proceeded to enforce any right under this Indenture and the proceedings for the enforcement thereof shall have been discontinued or abandoned because of waiver or for any other reason, or shall have been adjudicated adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder of Securities, then and in every such case, subject to any determinations in such proceedings, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities of such series shall severally and respectively be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, and thereafter all rights, remedies and powers of the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities of such series shall continue as though no such proceedings had been taken, except as to any matters so waived or adjudicated.
ARTICLE VII
CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS
Section 7.01. Evidence of Action of Securityholders. Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the Holders of a specified percentage or a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities or of any series of Securities may take any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action), the fact that at the time of taking any such action the Holders of such specified percentage or majority have joined therein may be evidenced by (a) any instrument or any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by Securityholders in person, by an agent or by a proxy appointed in writing, including through an electronic system for tabulating consents operated by the Depository for such series or otherwise (such action becoming effective, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, when such instruments or evidence of electronic consents are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company), or (b) by the record of the Holders of Securities voting in favor thereof at any meeting of Securityholders duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article VIII, or (c) by a combination of such instrument or instruments and any such record of such a meeting of Securityholders.
Section 7.02. Proof of Execution or Holding of Securities. Proof of the execution of any instrument by a Securityholder or his, her or its agent or proxy and proof of the holding by any Person of any of the Securities shall be sufficient if made in the following manner:
(a) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument may be proved (i) by the certificate of any notary public or other officer in any jurisdiction who, by the laws thereof, has power to take acknowledgments or proof of deeds to be recorded within such jurisdiction, that the Person who signed such instrument did acknowledge before such notary public or other officer the execution thereof, or (ii) by the affidavit of a witness of such execution sworn to before any such notary or other officer. Where such execution is by a Person acting in other than his or her individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his or her authority.
38
(b) The ownership of Securities of any series shall be proved by the Register of such Securities or by a certificate of the Registrar for such series.
(c) The record of any Holders’ meeting shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 8.06.
(d) The Trustee may require such additional proof of any matter referred to in this Section 7.02 as it shall deem appropriate or necessary, so long as the request is a reasonable one.
(e) If the Company shall solicit from the Holders of Securities of any series any action, the Company may, at its option, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders of Securities entitled to take such action, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. Any such record date shall be fixed at the Company’s discretion; provided that such record date shall not be more than 30 days prior to the first solicitation of any consent or waiver or more than 30 days prior to the date of the most recent list of Holders furnished to the Trustee prior to such solicitation pursuant to Section 312 of the TIA. If such a record date is fixed, such action may be sought or given before or after the record date, but only the Holders of Securities of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders of Securities for the purpose of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Securities of such series have authorized or agreed or consented to such action, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities of such series shall be computed as of such record date.
Section 7.03. Persons Deemed Owners.
(a) The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name any Security is registered in the Register as the owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and premium, if any, and (subject to Section 3.08) interest, on, such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary. All payments made to any Holder, or upon his, her or its order, shall be valid, and, to the extent of the sum or sums paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for moneys payable upon such Security.
(b) None of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Registrar shall have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
Section 7.04. Effect of Consents. After an amendment, supplement, waiver or other action becomes effective as to any series of Securities, a consent to it by a Holder of such series of Securities is a continuing consent conclusive and binding upon such Holder and every subsequent Holder of the same Securities or portion thereof, and of any Security issued upon the transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in place thereof, even if notation of the consent is not made on any such Security. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.
39
ARTICLE VIII
SECURITYHOLDERS’ MEETINGS
Section 8.01. Purposes of Meetings. A meeting of Securityholders of any or all series may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to the provisions of this Article VIII for any of the following purposes:
(a) to give any notice to the Company or to the Trustee, or to give any directions to the Trustee, or to consent to the waiving of any Default or Event of Default hereunder and its consequences, or to take any other action authorized to be taken by Securityholders pursuant to any of the provisions of Article VII;
(b) to remove the Trustee and nominate a successor trustee pursuant to the provisions of Article X;
(c) to consent to the execution of an Indenture or of indentures supplemental hereto pursuant to the provisions of Section 13.02; or
(d) to take any other action authorized to be taken by or on behalf of the Holders of any specified aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any one or more or all series, as the case may be, under any other provision of this Indenture or under applicable law.
Section 8.02. Call of Meetings by Trustee. The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of all Securityholders of all series that may be affected by the action proposed to be taken, to take any action specified in Section 8.01, to be held at such time and at such place as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of the Securityholders of a series, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be mailed to Holders of Securities of such series at their addresses as they shall appear on the Register. Such notice shall be mailed not less than 20 days nor more than 90 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.
Section 8.03. Call of Meetings by Company or Securityholders. In case at any time the Company or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of a series (or of all series, as the case may be) then Outstanding that may be affected by the action proposed to be taken shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of Securityholders of such series (or of all series), by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have mailed the notice of such meeting within 20 days after receipt of such request, then the Company or such Securityholders may determine the time and the place for such meeting and may call such meeting to take any action authorized in Section 8.01, by mailing notice thereof as provided in Section 8.02.
Section 8.04. Qualifications for Voting. To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Securityholders, a Person shall (a) be a Holder of one or more Securities affected by the action proposed to be taken at the meeting or (b) be a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy by a Holder of one or more such Securities. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Securityholders shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel and any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.
40
Section 8.05. Regulation of Meetings.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Securityholders, in regard to proof of the holding of Securities and of the appointment of proxies, and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall deem fit.
(b) The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company or by Securityholders as provided in Section 8.03, in which case the Company or the Securityholders calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chair. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by majority vote of the meeting.
(c) At any meeting of Securityholders of a series, each Securityholder of such series of such Securityholder’s proxy shall be entitled to one vote for each US$1,000 principal amount of Securities of such series Outstanding held or represented by him or her; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Security challenged as not Outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not Outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote other than by virtue of Securities of such series held by him or her or instruments in writing as aforesaid duly designating him or her as the Person to vote on behalf of other Securityholders. At any meeting of the Securityholders duly called pursuant to the provisions of Section 8.02 or 8.03, the presence of Persons holding or representing Securities in an aggregate principal amount sufficient to take action upon the business for the transaction of which such meeting was called shall be necessary to constitute a quorum, and any such meeting may be adjourned from time to time by a majority of those present, whether or not constituting a quorum, and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.
Section 8.06. Voting. The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Securityholders of a series shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the Holders of Securities of such series or of their representatives by proxy and the principal amounts of the Securities of such series held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in duplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record in duplicate of the proceedings of each meeting of Securityholders shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more Persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was mailed as provided in Section 8.02. The record shall show the principal amounts of the Securities voting in favor of or against any resolution. The record shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one of the duplicates shall be delivered to the Company and the other to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee.
Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.
Section 8.07. No Delay of Rights by Meeting. Nothing contained in this Article VIII shall be deemed or construed to authorize or permit, by reason of any call of a meeting of Securityholders of any series or any rights expressly or impliedly conferred hereunder to make such call, any hindrance or delay in the exercise of any right or rights conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Securityholders of such series under any of the provisions of this Indenture or of the Securities of such series.
41
ARTICLE IX
REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE
AND SECURITYHOLDERS’ LISTS
Section 9.01. Reports by Trustee.
(a) So long as any Securities are Outstanding, the Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided therein.
(b) The Trustee shall, at the time of the transmission to the Holders of Securities of any report pursuant to the provisions of this Section 9.01, file a copy of such report with each securities exchange upon which the Securities are listed or each automated quotation system on which the Securities are quoted, if any, and also with the SEC in respect of a Security listed and registered on a national securities exchange or automated quotation system, if any. The Company agrees to notify the Trustee when, as and if the Securities become listed or delisted on any securities exchange or admitted to trading on any automated quotation system and of any delisting thereof.
(c) The Company shall reimburse the Trustee for all reasonable expenses incurred in the preparation and transmission of any report pursuant to the provisions of this Section 9.01 and of Section 9.02.
Section 9.02. Reports by the Company. The Company shall file with the Trustee and the SEC, and transmit to Holders, such information, documents and other reports, and such summaries thereof, as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided in the Trust Indenture Act; provided that, any such information, documents or reports required to be filed with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act shall be filed with the Trustee within 30 days after the same is filed with the SEC; provided further that the filing of the reports specified in Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act by an entity that is the direct or indirect parent of the Company shall satisfy the requirements of this Section 9.02 so long as such entity is an obligor or guarantor on the Securities; provided further that the reports of such entity shall not be required to include condensed consolidating financial information for the Company in a footnote to the financial statements of such entity.
Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute actual or constructive notice or knowledge of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates). It is expressly understood that materials transmitted electronically by the Company to the Trustee or filed pursuant to the SEC’s EDGAR system (or any successor electronic filing system) shall be deemed filed with the Trustee and transmitted to Holders for purposes of this Section 9.02.
The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor or inquire as to compliance with the Company’s performance of its obligations under this Section 9.02 or with respect to Section 314(a) of the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 9.03. Securityholders’ Lists. The Company covenants and agrees that it shall furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee:
(a) semi-annually, within 15 days after each Record Date, but in any event not less frequently than semi-annually, a list in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities to which such Record Date applies, as of such Record Date, and
(b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;
provided, however, that so long as the Trustee shall be the Registrar, such lists shall not be required to be furnished.
42
ARTICLE X
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
Section 10.01. Rights of Trustees; Compensation and Indemnity. The Trustee accepts the trusts created by this Indenture upon the terms and conditions hereof, including the following, to all of which the parties hereto and the Holders from time to time of the Securities agree:
(a) The Trustee shall be entitled to such compensation as the Company and the Trustee shall from time to time agree in writing for all services rendered by it hereunder (including in any agent capacity in which it acts). The compensation of the Trustee shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee promptly upon its request for all out-of-pocket expenses, disbursements and advances (including costs of collection) properly incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with this Indenture (including, without limitation, the properly incurred expenses and disbursements of its agents, delegates, attorneys and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance caused by its own negligence, fraud or willful misconduct.
The Company also agrees to indemnify each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee hereunder for, and to hold it harmless against, any and all loss, liability, damage, claim, or expense incurred without its own negligence, fraud or willful misconduct, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder and the performance of its duties (including in any agent capacity in which it acts), as well as the properly incurred costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except those caused by its own negligence, fraud or willful misconduct. The Trustee shall, in so far as reasonably practicable, notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity; provided, however, that the failure to so notify the Company shall not affect the obligations of the Company hereunder to indemnify.
As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Section 10.01(a), the Trustee shall have a lien upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust by the Trustee to pay principal of and interest on any Securities. Notwithstanding any provisions of this Indenture to the contrary, the obligations of the Company to compensate and indemnify the Trustee under this Section 10.01(a) shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee, any satisfaction and discharge under Article XI, the payment of any Securities and the termination of this Indenture for any reason. In addition to and without prejudice to its other rights hereunder, when the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in clause (e) or (f) of Section 6.01 occurs, the expenses and compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under the Bankruptcy Code or any applicable state bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws.
(b) The Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereof and perform any duty hereunder either directly or by its agents, delegates and attorneys and shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent, delegate or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder.
(c) The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for the correctness of the recitals herein or in the Securities (except its certificates of authentication thereon) contained, all of which are made solely by the Company; and the Trustee shall not be responsible or accountable in any manner whatsoever for or with respect to the validity or execution or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities (except its certificates of authentication thereon), and the Trustee makes no representation with respect thereto, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Securities and perform its obligations hereunder and that the statements made by it is a Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 supplied to the Company are true and accurate, subject to the qualifications set forth therein. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of any Securities, or the proceeds of any Securities.
43
(d) The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection, and, subject to Section 10.02, the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by the Trustee hereunder in reliance thereon.
(e) The Trustee, subject to Section 10.02, may rely upon the certificate of the Secretary or one of the Assistant Secretaries of the Company as to the adoption of any Board Resolution or resolution of the stockholders of the Company, and any request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by, and whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee may rely upon, an Officer’s Certificate of the Company (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed).
(f) Subject to Section 10.04, the Trustee or any agent of the Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections 310(b) and 311 of the TIA, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have had if it were not the Trustee or such agent.
(g) Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on or investment of any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing with the Company.
(h) Any action taken by the Trustee pursuant to any provision hereof at the request or with the consent of any Person who at the time is the Holder of any Security shall be conclusive and binding in respect of such Security upon all future Holders thereof or of any Security or Securities which may be issued for or in lieu thereof in whole or in part, whether or not such Security shall have noted thereon the fact that such request or consent had been made or given.
(i) The Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, debenture or other paper or document (including any document provided electronically) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, delivered or presented by the proper party or parties.
(j) The Trustee shall not be under any obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Holders of the Securities, pursuant to any provision of this Indenture, unless such Holders of the Securities shall have offered to the Trustee pre-funding, security and/or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred by it therein or thereby.
(k) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within its discretion or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.
(l) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge or be charged with notice of any Default or Event of Default with respect to any Securities unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge by way of written notice thereof or unless the Holders of not less than 25% of the Outstanding Securities notify the Trustee thereof by a written notice to the Trustee that is received by the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office and such notice references such Securities and this Indenture.
44
(m) The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of Indebtedness or other paper or document; provided, however, that the Trustee, may, but shall not be required to, make further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit at the expense of the Company and shall incur no liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.
(n) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be secured, pre-funded and/or indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and to each agent, custodian and other person employed to act hereunder.
(o) In no event shall the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the transfer agent or the Registrar, be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive, or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit), whether or not foreseeable and irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the possibility of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.
(p) The Trustee may request that the Company deliver an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officer’s Certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an Officer’s Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded.
(q) The permissive right of the Trustee to take or refrain from taking action hereunder shall not be construed as a duty.
(r) The Trustee may refrain from taking any action in any jurisdiction if taking such action in that jurisdiction would, in the reasonable opinion of the Trustee based on written legal advice received from qualified legal counsel in the relevant jurisdiction, be contrary to any law of that jurisdiction or, to the extent applicable, the State of New York. Furthermore, the Trustee may refrain from taking such action if, in the reasonable opinion of the Trustee based on such legal advice, it would otherwise render the Trustee liable to any person in that jurisdiction or the State of New York and there has not been offered to the Trustee pre-funding, security and/or indemnity satisfactory to it against the liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby, or the Trustee would not have the legal capacity to take such action in that jurisdiction by virtue of applicable law in that jurisdiction or the State of New York or by virtue of a written order of any court or other competent authority in that jurisdiction that the Trustee does not have such legal capacity.
Section 10.02. Duties of Trustee.
(a) If one or more of the Events of Default specified in Section 6.01 with respect to the Securities of any series shall have happened, then, during the continuance thereof, the Trustee shall, with respect to such Securities, exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and shall use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.
(b) Unless and until an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01 with respect to the Securities of any series shall have happened which at the time is continuing,
(i) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties with respect to the Securities of such series as are specifically set out in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or
45
obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee, whose duties and obligations shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture; and
(ii) the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, upon certificates and opinions furnished to it pursuant to the express provisions of this Indenture; provided that, in the case of any such certificates or opinions which, by the provisions of this Indenture, are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts, statements, opinions or conclusions stated therein).
(c) None of the provisions of this Indenture shall be construed as relieving the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that, anything in this Indenture contained to the contrary notwithstanding,
(i) the Trustee shall not be liable to any Holder of Securities or to any other Person for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;
(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable to any Holder of Securities or to any other Person with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith, in accordance with the direction of Securityholders given as provided in Section 6.06, relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to it or exercising any trust or power conferred upon it by this Indenture;
(iii) none of the provisions of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise to incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate security, pre-funding and/or indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it; and
(iv) this subsection (c) shall not be construed to limit the effect of subsection (b) of this Section 10.02.
(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 10.02.
Section 10.03. Notice of Defaults. Within 90 days after the occurrence thereof and if known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall give to the Holders of the Securities of a series notice of each Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series known to the Trustee, by transmitting such notice to Holders at their addresses as the same shall then appear on the Register, unless such Default shall have been cured or waived before the giving of such notice (the term “Default” being hereby defined to be the events specified in Section 6.01, which are, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, Events of Default as defined in said Section).
46
Section 10.04. Eligibility; Disqualification.
(a) The Trustee shall at all times satisfy the requirements of Section 310(a) of the TIA. The Trustee shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least US$50,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition, and shall have a Corporate Trust Office. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 10.04, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article X.
(b) The Trustee shall comply with Section 310(b) of the TIA; provided, however, that there shall be excluded from the operation of Section 310(b)(i) of the TIA any indenture or indentures under which other securities or certificates of interest or participation in other securities of the Company are Outstanding if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in Section 310(b)(1) of the TIA are met. If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the TIA, the Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture. If Section 310(b) of the TIA is amended any time after the date of this Indenture to change the circumstances under which a Trustee shall be deemed to have a conflicting interest with respect to the Securities of any series or to change any of the definitions in connection therewith, this Section 10.04 shall be automatically amended to incorporate such changes.
Section 10.05. Resignation and Notice; Removal. The Trustee, or any successor to it hereafter appointed, may at any time resign and be discharged of the trusts hereby created with respect to any one or more or all series of Securities by giving to the Company notice in writing. Such resignation shall take effect upon the appointment of a successor Trustee and the acceptance of such appointment by such successor Trustee. Any Trustee hereunder may be removed with respect to any series of Securities at any time by the filing with such Trustee and the delivery to the Company of an instrument or instruments in writing signed by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding, specifying such removal and the date when it shall become effective.
If at any time:
(1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the TIA after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or
(2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 10.04 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or
(3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,
then, in any such case, (i) the Company by written notice to the Trustee may remove the Trustee and appoint a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (ii) subject to Section 315(e) of the TIA, any Securityholder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.
Upon its resignation or removal, any Trustee shall be entitled to the payment of reasonable compensation for the services rendered hereunder by such Trustee and to the payment of all properly incurred expenses incurred hereunder and all moneys then due to it hereunder. The Trustee’s rights to indemnification and its lien provided in Section 10.01(a) shall survive its resignation or removal, the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and the termination of this Indenture for any reason.
47
Section 10.06. Successor Trustee by Appointment.
(a) In case at any time the Trustee shall resign, or shall be removed (unless the Trustee shall be removed as provided in Section 10.04 (b), in which event the vacancy shall be filled as provided in Section 10.04(b)), or shall become incapable of acting, or shall be adjudged bankrupt or insolvent, or if a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed, or if any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation with respect to the Securities of one or more series, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series) may be appointed by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that or those series then Outstanding, by an instrument or instruments in writing signed in duplicate by such Holders and filed, one original thereof with the Company and the other with the successor Trustee; provided that, until a successor Trustee shall have been so appointed by the Holders of Securities of that or those series as herein authorized, the Company, or, in case all or substantially all the assets of the Company shall be in the possession of one or more custodians or receivers lawfully appointed, or of trustees in bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings (including a trustee or trustees appointed under the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code), or of assignees for the benefit of creditors, such
receivers, custodians, trustees or assignees, as the case may be, by an instrument in writing, shall appoint a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series. Subject to the provisions of Sections 10.04 and 10.05, upon the appointment as above provided of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series shall cease to be Trustee hereunder. After any such appointment other than by the Holders of Securities of that or those series, the Person making such appointment shall forthwith cause notice thereof to be mailed to the Holders of Securities of such series at their addresses as the same shall then appear on the Register but any successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series so appointed shall, immediately and without further act, be superseded by a successor Trustee appointed by the Holders of Securities of such series in the manner above prescribed, if such appointment be made prior to the expiration of one year from the date of the mailing of such notice by the Company, or by such receivers, trustees or assignees.
(b) If any Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall resign or be removed and a successor Trustee shall not have been appointed by the Company or by the Holders of the Securities of such series within 30 days of any notice of resignation or removal or, if any successor Trustee so appointed shall not have accepted its appointment within 30 days after such appointment shall have been made, the resigning Trustee at the expense of the Company may appoint a successor Trustee or apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee. If in any other case a successor Trustee shall not be appointed pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 10.06 within three months after such appointment might have been made hereunder, the Holder of any Security of the applicable series or any retiring Trustee at the expense of the Company may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction to appoint a successor Trustee. Such court may thereupon, in any such case, after such notice, if any, as such court may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor Trustee.
(c) Any successor Trustee appointed hereunder with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to its predecessor Trustee and to the Company, or to the receivers, trustees, assignees or court appointing it, as the case may be, an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the authority, rights, powers, trusts, immunities, duties and obligations with respect to such series of such predecessor Trustee with like effect as if originally named as Trustee hereunder, and such predecessor Trustee, upon payment of its charges and disbursements then unpaid, shall thereupon become obligated to pay over, and such successor Trustee shall be entitled to receive, all moneys and properties held by such predecessor Trustee as Trustee hereunder, subject nevertheless to its lien provided for in Section 10.01(a). Nevertheless, on the written request of the Company or of the successor Trustee or of the Holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding, such predecessor Trustee, upon payment of its said charges and disbursements, shall execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee upon the trusts herein expressed all the
48
rights, powers and trusts of such predecessor Trustee and shall assign, transfer and deliver to the successor Trustee all moneys and properties held by such predecessor Trustee, subject nevertheless to its lien provided for in Section 10.01(a); and, upon request of any such successor Trustee and the Company shall make, execute, acknowledge and deliver any and all instruments in writing for more fully and effectually vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such authority, rights, powers, trusts, immunities, duties and obligations. In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, then, the predecessor Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to such Securities shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee.
Section 10.07. Successor Trustee by Merger. Any Person into which the Trustee or any successor to it in the trusts created by this Indenture shall be merged or converted, or any Person with which it or any successor to it shall be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee or any such successor to it shall be a party, or any Person to which the Trustee or any successor to it shall sell or otherwise transfer all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor Trustee under this Indenture without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto; provided that such Person shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article X. In case at the time such successor to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture with respect to one or more series of Securities, any of such Securities shall have been authenticated but not delivered by the Trustee then in office, any successor to such Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee, and deliver such Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities; and in case at that time any of the Securities shall not have been authenticated, any successor to such Trustee may authenticate such Securities either in the name of any predecessor Trustee hereunder or in the name of the successor Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Securities or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have; provided, however, that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee or authenticate Securities in the name of any predecessor Trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation.
Section 10.08. Right to Rely on Officer’s Certificate. Subject to Section 10.02, and subject to the provisions of Section 15.01 with respect to the certificates required thereby, whenever in the administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or suffering any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officer’s Certificate with respect thereto delivered to the Trustee, and such Officer’s Certificate, in the absence of bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.
Section 10.09. Appointment of Authenticating Agent. The Trustee may appoint an agent (the “Authenticating Agent”) reasonably acceptable to the Company to authenticate the Securities, and the Trustee shall give written notice of such appointment to the Company and all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent shall serve. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, any such Authenticating Agent may authenticate Securities whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by the Authenticating Agent. Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder.
Each Authenticating Agent shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business and in good standing under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than US$50,000,000 and
49
subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Article X, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Article X, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Article X.
Any Person into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any Person succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent, provided such Person shall be otherwise eligible under this Article X, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.
An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 10.09, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall give written notice of such appointment to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent shall serve. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section 10.09.
The Company agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section 10.09.
Section 10.10. Communications by Securityholders with Other Securityholders. Holders of Securities may communicate pursuant to Section 312(b) of the TIA with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of Section 312(c) of the TIA with respect to such communications.
ARTICLE XI
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE
Section 11.01. Applicability of Article. The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any series of Securities except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of such series. Defeasance provisions, if any, for Securities denominated in a Foreign Currency may be specified pursuant to Section 3.01.
Section 11.02. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.
(a) This Indenture, with respect to the Securities of any series (if all series issued under this Indenture are not to be affected), shall cease to be of further effect (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of such Securities herein expressly provided for and rights to receive payments of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, such Securities) when:
(i) either:
50
(A) all Securities of such series that have been authenticated, except (x) lost, stolen or destroyed Securities that have been replaced or paid and (y) Securities for whose payment money has been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Company, have been delivered to the Paying Agent for cancellation; or
(B) all Securities of such series that have not been delivered to the Paying Agent for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the sending of a notice of redemption or otherwise or will become due and payable within one year and the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders of such series of Securities, cash in U.S. Dollars, U.S. Government Obligations, or a combination of cash in U.S. Dollars and U.S. Government Obligations, in amounts as will be sufficient (in the case of a deposit not entirely in cash, in the opinion of an internationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm or firm of independent public accountants), without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire amount Outstanding on such Securities not delivered to the Paying Agent for cancellation for principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest, to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be;
(ii) no Default or Event of Default under this Indenture has occurred and is continuing with respect to Securities of such series on the date of the deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit);
(iii) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it under this Indenture with respect to all Securities of such series; and
(iv) the Company has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee under this Indenture to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Securities of such series at the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be.
(b) The Company must deliver an Officer’s Certificate and an opinion of Legal Counsel (which may be subject to customary assumptions and exclusions) to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.
(c) Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (A)(y) of clause (i) of Section 11.02(a), the obligations of the Trustee under Section 11.07 and Section 5.03(e) shall survive such satisfaction and discharge.
Section 11.03. Defeasance upon Deposit of Moneys or U.S. Government Obligations.
(a) The Company may, at its option and at any time, elect to have either Section 11.03(b) or Section 11.03(c) applied to all Outstanding Securities of any series upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Section 11.03.
(b) Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 11.03(a) of the option applicable to this Section 11.03(b), the Company shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 11.03(d), be deemed to have been Discharged from its obligations with respect to all Outstanding Securities of such series on the date such conditions are satisfied (“Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, “Legal Defeasance” means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and Discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the Securities of such series then Outstanding and to have satisfied all of its other obligations under the Securities of such series and this Indenture, except for the following provisions which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:
51
(i) the rights of Holders of the Securities of such series then Outstanding to receive payments in respect of the principal of, or interest or premium on such Securities when such payments are due from the trust referred to in Section 11.03(d);
(ii) the Company’s obligations concerning issuing temporary Securities, registration of Securities, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities and the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money for security payments held in trust;
(iii) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee, and the Company’s obligations in connection therewith; and
(iv) this Section 11.03(b) and Section 11.03(c) with respect to the Securities of such series.
Following the Company’s exercise of its Legal Defeasance option, payment of the Securities of such series may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default. Subject to compliance with this Article XI, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 11.03(b) notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 11.03(c).
“Discharged” means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by, and obligations under, the Securities of a series and to have satisfied all the obligations under this Indenture relating to the Securities of such series (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except (A) the rights of Holders of Securities of such series to receive, from the trust fund described in clause (i) of 11.03(d), payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, on such Securities when such payments are due, (B) the Company’s obligations with respect to Securities of such series under Sections 3.04, 3.06, 3.07, 5.02, 5.03, 11.06 and 11.07 and (C) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder.
(c) Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 11.03(a) of the option applicable to this Section 11.03(c), the Company shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 11.03(d), be released from its obligations under the covenants contained in Section 5.04, Section 5.08 and as provided pursuant to Section 3.01(z), on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 11.03(d) are satisfied (“Covenant Defeasance”). For this purpose, “Covenant Defeasance” means that, with respect to this Indenture and the Securities of such series then Outstanding, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document, and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and the Securities shall be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Company’s exercise under Section 11.03(a) of the option applicable to this Section 11.03(c), subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 11.03(d), Sections 6.01(c), and 6.01(d) (only with respect to covenants that are released as a result of such Covenant Defeasance), in each case, shall not constitute Events of Default.
(d) The following shall be the conditions to the exercise of either the Legal Defeasance option under Section 11.03(b) or the Covenant Defeasance option under Section 11.03(c):
(i) the Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders of all Securities subject to Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, cash in U.S. Dollars, U.S. Government Obligations, or a combination of cash in U.S. Dollars and U.S. Government Obligations, in amounts as will be sufficient (in the case of a deposit not entirely in cash, in the opinion of an internationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm or firm of independent public accountants) to
52
pay the principal of, or interest and premium on such Securities that are then Outstanding on the applicable Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be, and the Company must specify whether such Securities are being defeased to maturity or to a particular Redemption Date;
(ii) in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Company must deliver to the Trustee an opinion of Legal Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that (A) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (B) since the date of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion of Legal Counsel will confirm that, the Holders of the Securities of such series then Outstanding will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;
(iii) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Company must deliver to the Trustee an opinion of Legal Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that the Holders of the Securities of such series then Outstanding will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;
(iv) no Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series must have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit);
(v) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by it with the intent of preferring the Holders of Securities over the Company’s other creditors with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding its creditors or others; and
(vi) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an opinion of Legal Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.
Section 11.04. Repayment to Company. The Trustee and any Paying Agent shall promptly pay to the Company (or to its designee) upon Company Order any excess moneys or U.S. Government Obligations held by them at any time, including any such moneys or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee under any escrow trust agreement entered into pursuant to Section 11.06. The provisions of the last paragraph of Section 5.03 shall apply to any moneys or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or any Paying Agent under this Article that remains unclaimed for two years after the Maturity of any series of Securities for which moneys or U.S. Government Obligations have been deposited pursuant to Section 11.03.
Section 11.05. Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations. The Company shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the deposited U.S. Government Obligations or the principal or interest received on such U.S. Government Obligations other than any such tax, fee or charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the Outstanding Securities being defeased.
Section 11.06. Deposits to Be Held in Escrow. Any deposits with the Trustee referred to in Section 11.03 above shall be irrevocable (except to the extent provided in Sections 11.04 and 11.07) and shall be made under the terms of an escrow trust agreement. As contemplated under this Article XI, if any Outstanding Securities of a series are to be redeemed prior to their Stated Maturity, pursuant to any optional redemption provisions, the applicable escrow trust agreement shall provide therefor and the Company shall make such arrangements as are satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company.
53
If Securities of a series with respect to which such deposits are made may be subject to later redemption at the option of the Company, the applicable escrow trust agreement may, at the option of the Company, provide therefor. In the case of an optional redemption in whole or in part, such agreement shall require the Company to deposit with the Trustee on or before the date notice of redemption is given funds sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of the Securities to be redeemed together with all unpaid interest thereon to the Redemption Date. Upon such deposit of funds, the Trustee shall pay or deliver over to the Company as excess funds pursuant to Section 11.04 all funds or obligations then held under such agreement and allocable to the Securities to be redeemed.
Section 11.07. Application of Trust Money.
(a) Neither the Trustee nor any other paying agent shall be required to pay interest on any moneys deposited pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, except such as it shall agree with the Company in writing to pay thereon. Any moneys so deposited for the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Securities of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after the date of the maturity of the Securities of such series or the date fixed for the redemption of all the Securities of such series at the time Outstanding, as the case may be, shall be applied as provided in Section 5.03(e).
(b) Subject to the provisions of clause (a) above, any moneys or U.S. Government Obligations which at any time shall be deposited by the Company or on its behalf with the Trustee or any other paying agent for the purpose of paying the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on any of the Securities shall be and are hereby assigned, transferred and set over to the Trustee or such other paying agent in trust for the respective Holders of the Securities for the purpose for which such moneys or U.S. Government Obligations shall have been deposited; provided that such moneys or U.S. Government Obligations need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
Section 11.08. Deposits of Non-U.S. Currencies. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article, if the Securities of any series are payable in a Currency other than U.S. Dollars, the Currency or the nature of the government obligations to be deposited with the Trustee under the foregoing provisions of this Article XI shall be as set forth in the Officer’s Certificate or established in the supplemental indenture under which the Securities of such series are issued.
ARTICLE XII
IMMUNITY OF CERTAIN PERSONS
Section 12.01. No Personal Liability. No recourse shall be had for the payment of the principal of, or the premium, if any, or interest, on, any Security or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof or of the Indebtedness represented thereby, or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of this Indenture, against any incorporator, stockholder, officer, employee or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor thereto, either directly or through the Company or any successor thereto, whether by virtue of any constitutional provision, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly agreed and understood that this Indenture and the Securities are solely corporate obligations, and that no personal liability whatsoever shall attach to, or be incurred by, any incorporator, stockholder, officer, employee or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor thereto, either directly or through the Company or any successor corporation, because of the incurring of the Indebtedness hereby authorized or under or by reason of any of the obligations, covenants, promises or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities, or to be implied herefrom or therefrom, and that all liability, if any, of that character against every such incorporator, stockholder, officer, employee and director is, by the acceptance of the Securities and as a condition of, and as part of the consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of the Securities expressly waived and released.
54
ARTICLE XIII
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
Section 13.01. Without Consent of Securityholders. Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to any series of Securities, the Company and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any one or more of or all the following purposes:
(a) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency contained herein or in any supplemental indenture; provided, however, that such amendment does not materially and adversely affect the rights of Holders;
(b) to evidence the succession of another corporation, partnership, trust or other entity to the Company in accordance with Section 5.04, or successive successions, and the assumption by such successor of the covenants and obligations of the Company contained in the Securities of one or more series and in this Indenture or any supplemental indenture;
(c) to comply with the rules of any applicable Depository;
(d) to secure any series of Securities;
(e) to add to the covenants and agreements of the Company, to be observed thereafter and during the period, if any, in such supplemental indenture or indentures expressed, and to add Events of Default, in each case for the protection or benefit of the Holders of all or any series of the Securities (and if such covenants, agreements and Events of Default are to be for the benefit of fewer than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants, agreements and Events of Default are expressly being included for the benefit of such series as shall be identified therein), or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company;
(f) to make any change in any series of Securities that does not adversely affect the legal rights under this Indenture of any Holder of such Securities in any material respect;
(g) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of an appointment under this Indenture of a successor Trustee; provided that the successor Trustee is otherwise qualified and eligible to act as such under the terms hereof;
(h) to conform the text of this Indenture or any series of the Securities to any provision of the section entitled “Description of Debt Securities” in the Prospectus to the extent that such provision in such Prospectus was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of this Indenture or such series of the Securities as evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate;
(i) to make any amendment to the provisions of this Indenture relating to the transfer and legending of such series of Securities as permitted by this Indenture, including, but not limited to, facilitating the issuance and administration of any series of the Securities or, if incurred in compliance with this Indenture, additional Securities; provided, however, that (i) compliance with this Indenture as so amended would not result in such series of the Securities being transferred in violation of the Securities Act, or any applicable securities law and (ii) such amendment does not materially and adversely affect the rights of Holders to transfer Securities;
55
(j) to make any amendment to this Indenture necessary to qualify this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;
(k) to establish the form and terms of Securities of any series as permitted in Section 3.01, or to provide for the issuance of additional Securities in accordance with the limitations set forth in this Indenture or to add to the conditions, limitations or restrictions on the authorized amount, terms or purposes of issue, authentication or delivery of the Securities of any series, as herein set forth, or other conditions, limitations or restrictions thereafter to be observed; and
(l) to add guarantors or co-obligors with respect to any series of Securities.
Subject to the provisions of Section 13.03, the Trustee is authorized to join with the Company in the execution of any such supplemental indenture, to make the further agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained and to accept the conveyance, transfer, assignment, mortgage or pledge of any property or assets thereunder.
Any supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section 13.01 may be executed by the Company and the Trustee without the consent of the Holders of any of the Securities at the time Outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 13.02.
Section 13.02. With Consent of Securityholders; Limitations.
(a) With the consent of the Holders (evidenced as provided in Article VII) of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected by such supplemental indenture voting separately, the Company and the Trustee may, from time to time and at any time, enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any provisions of this Indenture or of modifying or changing in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Securities of such series to be affected; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of each such series affected thereby,
(i) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of and premium, if any, or any installment of interest on any Security;
(ii) reduce the principal amount of, payments of interest, on or stated time for payment of interest, on any Security;
(iii) change any obligation of the Company to pay Additional Amounts with respect to any Security;
(iv) change the Currency in which the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on such Security is denominated or payable;
(v) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment due on or with respect to any Security;
(vi) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any supplemental indenture;
56
(vii) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain Defaults hereunder and their consequences provided for in this Indenture;
(viii) modify any of the provisions of this Section 13.02, Section 5.11, Section 6.06, except to increase any such percentage or provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby; provided, however, that this clause shall not be deemed to require the consent of any Holder with respect to changes in the references to the “Trustee” and concomitant changes in this Section 13.02 and Section 5.11, or the deletion of this proviso, in accordance with the requirements of Sections 10.06 and 13.01(g);
(ix) amend, change or modify any provision of this Indenture or the related definitions affecting the ranking of any series of Securities in a manner which adversely affects the Holders of such Securities; or
(x) reduce the amount of the premium payable upon the redemption or repurchase of any Security or change the time at which any Security may be redeemed or repurchased as described in Section 4.07.
(b) A supplemental indenture that changes or eliminates any provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.
(c) It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Securityholders under this Section 13.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof. Any such consent of Securityholders given in connection with a tender of such Securityholders’ Securities of such series will not be rendered invalid by such tender.
(d) The Company may set a record date pursuant to Section 7.02(e) for purposes of determining the identity of the Holders of each series of Securities entitled to give a written consent or waive compliance by the Company as authorized or permitted by this Section 13.02.
(e) After the execution by the Company and the Trustee of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Section 13.02, the Company shall mail a notice, setting forth in general terms the substance of such supplemental indenture, to the Holders of Securities at their addresses as the same shall then appear in the Register. Any failure of the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture.
Section 13.03. Trustee Protected. Upon the request of the Company, accompanied by the Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel required by Section 15.01 stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture to be entered into pursuant to Section 13.01 or Section 13.02 is authorized or permitted by this Indenture, and evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee of consent of the Holders if the supplemental indenture is to be executed pursuant to Section 13.02, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of said supplemental indenture unless said supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into said supplemental indenture. The Trustee shall be fully protected in relying upon such Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel.
57
Section 13.04. Effect of Execution of Supplemental Indenture. Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article XIII, this Indenture shall be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Company and the Holders of all of the Securities or of the Securities of any series affected, as the case may be, shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments, and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.
Section 13.05. Notation on or Exchange of Securities. Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article may bear a notation in the form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company or the Trustee shall so determine, new Securities so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for the Securities then Outstanding in equal aggregate principal amounts, and such exchange shall be made without cost to the Holders of the Securities.
Section 13.06. Conformity with TIA. Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to the provisions of this Article XIII shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.
ARTICLE XIV
[RESERVED]
ARTICLE XV
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 15.01. Certificates and Opinions as to Conditions Precedent.
(a) Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or demand as to which the furnishing of such document is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.
(b) Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than the certificates provided pursuant to Section 5.07 of this Indenture) shall include (i) a statement that the Person giving such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition; (ii) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based; (iii) a statement that in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable such Person to express an informed view or opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and (iv) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
58
(c) Any certificate, statement or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his or her certificate, statement or opinion is based are erroneous. Any certificate, statement or opinion of counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate, statement or opinion of, or representations by, governmental or other officials, customary for opinions of the type required, or an officer or officers of the Company stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate, statement or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.
(d) Any certificate, statement or opinion of an officer of the Company or of counsel to the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to accounting matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an accountant or firm of accountants, unless such officer or counsel, as the case may be, knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the accounting matters upon which his or her certificate, statement or opinion may be based are erroneous. Any certificate or opinion of any firm of independent registered public accountants filed with the Trustee shall contain a statement that such firm is independent.
(e) In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.
(f) Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.
Section 15.02. Trust Indenture Act Controls. If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by, or with a provision included in this Indenture which is required to be included in this Indenture by any of the provisions of Sections 310 to 318, inclusive, of, the TIA, such imposed duties or incorporated provision shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the TIA, which may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or excluded, as the case may be.
Section 15.03. Notices to the Company and Trustee. Any notice or demand authorized or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with, the Company or the Trustee shall be sufficiently made, given, furnished or filed for all purposes if it shall be mailed, by regular mail or overnight courier, delivered or faxed to:
(a) the Company, at 400 Ansin Blvd, Suite A, Hallandale Beach, FL 33009, Telephone No.: (305) 560-5381, Attn: David Phipps, or at such other address or facsimile number as may have been furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company.
(b) the Trustee, at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee with a copy to the Specified Corporate Trust Office.
Any such notice, demand or other document shall be in the English language. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, no such notice or demand shall be effective as to the Trustee unless it is actually received by the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office and at its Specified Corporate Trust Office.
59
The Trustee agrees to accept and act upon instructions or directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by unsecured e-mail, pdf, facsimile transmission or other similar unsecured electronic methods; provided, however, that the Trustee shall have received an incumbency certificate listing persons designated to give such instructions or directions and containing specimen signatures of such designated persons, which such incumbency certificate shall be amended and replaced whenever a person is to be added or deleted from the listing. If the Company elects to give the Trustee e-mail or facsimile instructions (or instructions by a similar electronic method), the Trustee’s understanding of such instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with such instructions notwithstanding such instructions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent written instruction. The Company agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit instructions and directions to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk or interception and misuse by third parties.
Section 15.04. Notices to Securityholders; Waiver. Any notice required or permitted to be given to Securityholders shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided), if to Holders, if given in writing by first class mail, postage prepaid, to such Holders at their addresses as the same shall appear on the Register. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, where this Indenture provides for notice of any event to a Holder of a Global Security, such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depository for such Security (or its designee), pursuant to the Applicable Procedures of the Depository, not later than the latest date, if any, and not earlier than the earliest date, if any, prescribed for the giving of such notice by this Indenture.
(a) In the event of suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give notice by mail, then such notification as shall be given with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute sufficient notice for every purpose hereunder.
(b) Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance on such waiver. In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice nor any defect in any notice so mailed to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders, and any notice that is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given. In any case where notice to Holders is given by publication, any defect in any notice so published as to any particular Holder shall not affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders, and any notice that is published in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given.
Section 15.05. Legal Holiday. Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01, in any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Maturity or other scheduled date of payment of any Security of any series shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment for the Securities of that series, then payment of principal and premium, if any, or interest, need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Maturity, as the case may be, and no interest shall accrue on such payment for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Maturity, as the case may be, to such Business Day if such payment is made or duly provided for on such Business Day.
Section 15.06. Judgment Currency. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the obligations of the Company to any Holder under this Indenture or the Securities of any series, as the case may be, shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency (the “Judgment Currency”) other than U.S. Dollars, be discharged only to the extent that on the Business Day following receipt by such Holder or the Trustee, as the case may be, of any amount in the Judgment Currency, such Holder or the Trustee, as the case may be, may in accordance with normal banking procedures purchase the U.S. Dollars with the Judgment Currency. To the fullest extent permitted by law, if the amount of U.S. Dollars so purchased is less than the amount originally to be paid to such Holder or the Trustee,
60
as the case may be, in U.S. Dollars, the Company agrees, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding such judgment, to pay the difference, and if the amount of U.S. Dollars so purchased exceeds the amount originally to be paid to such Holder, such Holder or the Trustee, as the case may be, agrees to pay to or for the account of the Company such excess; provided that such Holder shall not have any obligation to pay any such excess as long as a Default by the Company in its obligations under this Indenture or such series of Securities has occurred and is continuing, in which case such excess may be applied by such Holder to such obligations. In the event the Trustee is required or requested to make such purchases of U.S. Dollars with the Judgment Currency, the Trustee will in good faith select a recognized banking institution in the City of New York through which the Trustee will purchase the U.S. Dollars with the Judgment Currency; provided that the Trustee will not be liable for any losses or shortfalls in amounts so paid as a result of the foreign exchange rate applied by such banking institution to such purchases of the U.S. Dollars with the Judgment Currency in accordance with normal banking procedures.
Section 15.07. Effects of Headings and Table of Contents. The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
Section 15.08. Successors and Assigns. All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the parties hereto shall bind their respective successors and assigns and inure to the benefit of their permitted successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.
Section 15.09. Severability. If any provision hereof shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable under applicable law, then the remaining provisions hereof shall be construed as though such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision were not contained herein.
Section 15.10. Benefits of Indenture. Nothing in this Indenture expressed and nothing that may be implied from any of the provisions hereof is intended, or shall be construed, to confer upon, or to give to, any Person other than the parties hereto and their successors and the Holders of the Securities any benefit or any right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Indenture or any covenant, condition, stipulation, promise or agreement hereof, and all covenants, conditions, stipulations, promises and agreements in this Indenture contained shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties hereto and their successors and of the Holders of the Securities.
Section 15.11. Counterparts. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
Section 15.12. Governing Law; Waiver of Trial by Jury. This Indenture and the Securities shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS INDENTURE OR THE SECURITIES.
Section 15.13. Submission to Jurisdiction. The Company irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any U.S. federal or New York State court located in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York over any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Indenture or the Securities. Service of any process, summons, notice or document by registered mail addressed to the Company’s agent, [ ], located at [ ], shall be effective service of process against the Company for any suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court. The Company irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection to the laying of venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court and any claim that any such suit, action or proceeding has been brought in an inconvenient forum. A final judgment in any such suit, action or
61
proceeding brought in any such court shall be conclusive and binding upon the Company and may be enforced in any other courts to whose jurisdiction the Company is or may be subject, by suit upon judgment. The Company further agrees that nothing herein shall affect any Holder’s right to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law or bring a suit action or proceeding (including a proceeding for enforcement of a judgment) in any other court or jurisdiction in accordance with applicable law.
Section 15.14. Waiver of Immunity. To the extent that the Company or any of its properties, assets or revenues may have or may hereafter become entitled to, or have attributed to each of the Company, any right of immunity, on the grounds of sovereignty or otherwise, from any legal action, suit or proceeding, from the giving of any relief in any such legal action, suit or proceeding, from setoff or counterclaim, from the jurisdiction of any Nevada state, New York state or U.S. federal court, from service of process, from attachment upon or prior to judgment, from attachment in aid of execution of judgment, or from execution of judgment, or other legal process or proceeding for the giving of any relief or for the enforcement of any judgment, in any such court in which proceedings may at any time be commenced, with respect to the obligations and liabilities of the Company or any other matter under or arising out of or in connection with this Indenture, the Company hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives or will waive such right to the extent permitted by applicable law, and agree not to plead or claim, any such immunity and consent to such relief and enforcement.
Section 15.15. Force Majeure. In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
Section 15.16. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements. This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or its Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.
[Signatures on following page]
62
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
|
NEXTPLAT CORP, |
||
|
By: |
||
|
Name: |
||
|
Title: |
||
|
[ ], |
||
|
By: |
||
|
Name: |
||
|
Title: |
||
63
ANNEX
EXHIBIT A
[FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY]
[if a Global Security]
UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR THE INDIVIDUAL SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF, THIS GLOBAL SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITORY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY TO THE DEPOSITORY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY OR BY THE DEPOSITORY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY.
[if a Definitive Security]
IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRUSTEE SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS THE REGISTRAR AND THE TRUSTEE MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.
FORM OF [ % NOTES DUE 20 ][ FLOATING RATE NOTES DUE 20 ]
NextPlat Corp
[ % Note Due 20 ][ Floating Rate Notes Due 20 ]
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT: US$
CUSIP:
ISIN:
No.:
NextPlat Corp, a Nevada corporation (the “Company,” which term includes any successor thereto under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof), for value received, hereby promises to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the principal sum of U.S. DOLLARS (US$ ) (or such other principal amount as shall be set forth in the Schedule of Increases or Decreases in Note attached hereto) on , 20 , or on such earlier date as the principal hereof may become due in accordance with the provisions of this Note.
Interest Rate: [ % per annum][The applicable rate with respect to a particular Interest Period will be a rate equal to three-month LIBOR as determined by the calculation agent on the interest determination date plus %].
A-1
ANNEX
Interest Payment Dates: of each year, commencing on .
[Interest Period: the period commencing on and including an Interest Payment Date and ending on but excluding the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, with the exception that the first Interest Period shall commence on and include the Issue Date and end on and exclude , 20 .]
Record Dates: .
Reference is made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof. Such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.
This Note shall not be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the certificate of authentication hereon shall have been manually signed by the Trustee under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof.
A-2
ANNEX
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, NextPlat Corp has caused this Note to be duly executed.
|
NEXTPLAT CORP |
||
|
By: |
||
|
Name: |
||
|
Title: |
||
A-3
ANNEX
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
Date of authentication:
|
[ ], as Trustee |
||
|
By: |
||
|
Name: |
||
|
Title: |
||
A-4
ANNEX
[FORM OF REVERSE OF SECURITY]
NEXTPLAT CORP
[ % Note Due 20 ][ Floating Rate Notes Due 20 ]
This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of debt securities of the Company of the series designated as the [“ % Note Due 20 ”][“ Floating Rate Notes Due 20 ”](the “Notes”), all issued or to be issued under and pursuant to an Indenture, dated as of , 20[…](the “Base Indenture”), duly executed and delivered by and between the Company and [ ], as trustee (the “Trustee,” which term includes any successor trustee), as supplemented by the Supplemental Indenture, dated as of , 20 (the “Supplemental Indenture”), duly executed and delivered by and between the Company and the Trustee. The Base Indenture as supplemented and amended by the Supplemental Indenture is referred to herein as the “Indenture”. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings given them in the Indenture. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling.
1. Interest. The Company promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this [Note at a rate of % per annum][at the applicable rate as described below determined by the calculation agent (or its successor) for each Interest Period]. The date from which interest shall accrue on the Notes shall be [ ], or the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or provided for. [The applicable rate with respect to a particular Interest Period will be a rate equal to [ ]. Promptly upon determination, the calculation agent will inform the Company of the applicable rate for the next Interest Period.] The Company will pay interest [semi-annually][quarterly] in arrears on [ ] of each year, beginning [ ], 20 . In any case in which an Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Maturity or other payment date is not a Business Day as defined in the Indenture at a Place of Payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day. Any payment made on such Business Day will have the same force and effect as if made on the date on which the payment is due, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period. Interest shall be computed on the basis of [a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months][the actual number of days that have elapsed in the applicable Interest Period and a 360-day year].
[All percentages resulting from any calculation of any interest rate for the Notes will be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred thousandth of a percentage point, with five one-millionths of a percentage point rounded upward (e.g., 3.876545% (or .03876545) would be rounded to 3.87655% (or .0387655)), and all U.S. Dollar amounts will be rounded to the nearest cent, with one-half cent being rounded upward. Each calculation of the interest rate on the Notes by the calculation agent will (in the absence of manifest error) be final and binding on the Holders of the Notes and the Company.
Upon written request from any Holder of the Notes, the calculation agent will provide the applicable rate in effect on such Notes for the current Interest Period and, if it has been determined, the applicable rate to be in effect for the next Interest Period.]
2. Method of Payment. The Company shall pay interest on the Notes (except Defaulted Interest), if any, to the Persons in whose name such Notes are registered at the close of business on the Record Date referred to on the face of this Note immediately preceding the related Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled, repurchased or redeemed on or after such Record Date and on or before such Interest Payment Date. Payment of interest on the Notes shall be made, in the currency of the United States of America that at the time is legal tender for payment of public and private debts, at the Corporate Trust Office or, at the option of the Company, by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Register or, in accordance with arrangements satisfactory to the Paying Agent, by wire transfer to an account designated by the Holder.
3. Paying Agent, Authenticating Agent and Registrar. Initially, [ ] will act as Paying Agent, Authenticating Agent and Registrar. The Company may change or appoint any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company may act in any such capacity.
A-5
ANNEX
4. Indenture. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (“TIA”), as in effect on the date the Indenture is qualified. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and TIA for a statement of such terms. The Notes are unsecured general obligations of the Company and constitute the series designated on the face of this Note as the [“ % Note Due 20 ”][“Floating Rate Notes Due 20 ”], initially limited to US$ in aggregate principal amount. The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Base Indenture, and the Supplemental Indenture. Requests may be made to: NextPlat Corp, 400 Ansin Blvd, Suite A, Hallandale Beach, FL 33009, Attn: David Phipps.
5. Redemption and Repurchase. The Notes are [not]subject to optional redemption [other than as set forth in the Base Indenture], [and][but] are the subject of a Triggering Event Offer, as further described in the Indenture. The Company shall not be required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.
6. Denominations, Transfer, Exchange. The Notes are in registered form without coupons in the denominations of US$2,000 or any integral multiple of US$1,000 in excess thereof (or such other denominations in which such Securities are issuable). The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Notes may be presented for exchange or for registration of transfer (duly endorsed or with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed if so required by the Company or the Registrar) at the office of the Registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by the Company for such purpose. The Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption or tendered for repurchase upon a Triggering Event Offer, except for the unredeemed and unpurchased portion of any Note being redeemed or repurchased in part.
7. [Reserved]
8. Persons Deemed Owners. The registered Holder may be treated as its owner for all purposes.
9. Amendments, Supplements and Waivers. The Indenture and the Notes may be amended or supplemented as provided in the Indenture. Any consent or waiver by the Holders as provided in the Indenture shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holders and upon all future Holders and holders of any security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon the Notes.
10. Defaults and Remedies. The Events of Default relating to the Notes are defined in Section 6.01 of the Base Indenture. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the rights and obligations of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be as set forth in the applicable provisions of the Indenture.
11. No Recourse Against Others. No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in the Indenture or the Notes, or because of any indebtedness evidenced thereby, shall be had against any incorporator as such, or against any past, present or future stockholder, officer, director or employee, as such, of the Company or of any successor, either directly or through the Company or any successor, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the acceptance hereof and as part of the consideration for the issue hereof.
12. Authentication. This Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee.
13. Governing Law. The Base Indenture, the Supplemental Indenture and this Note shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
14. CUSIP and ISIN Numbers. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP and ISIN numbers to be printed on the Notes, and the Trustee may use CUSIP and ISIN numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.
A-6
ANNEX
ASSIGNMENT
To assign this Security, fill in the form below: I or we assign and transfer this Security to
(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)
(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. No.)
and irrevocably appoint agent to transfer this Security on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.
|
Date: |
Your Signature: |
Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Security.
|
Signature Guarantee: |
||
|
Signature must be guaranteed |
Signature |
|
SIGNATURE GUARANTEE
Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
A-7
ANNEX
OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE
If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 5.06 of the Indenture, check the box below:
☐ Section 5.06
If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 5.06 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:
US$
|
Date: |
Your Signature: |
|||||
|
(Sign exactly as your name |
||||||
|
Tax Identification No: |
||||||
|
Signature Guarantee: |
||||||
SIGNATURE GUARANTEE
Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
A-8
ANNEX
SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN NOTE*
The initial principal amount of this Security is US$ . The following increases or decreases in a part of this Security have been made:
|
Date |
Amount of |
Amount of |
Principal |
|||||||||
|
* |
Insert in Global Notes. |
A-9
Exhibit 5.1
|
|
ArentFox Schiff LLP 1717 K Street, NW Washington, DC 20006 |
|
202.857.6000 |
MAIN |
|
|
202.857.6395 |
FAX |
|
|
afslaw.com |
||
December 17, 2025
Board of Directors
NextPlat, Corp
400 Ansin Blvd, Suite A
Hallandale Beach, FL 33009
Re: Registration Statement on Form S-3
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to NextPlat Corp, a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), in connection with a registration statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on December 17, 2025 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Registration Statement relates to the issuance and sale from time to time, pursuant to Rule 415 of the rules and regulations promulgated under the Securities Act, of an unspecified number or amount of the following securities of the Company: (i) common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”); (ii) preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Preferred Stock”); (iii) debt securities, consisting of debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness in one or more series (“Debt Securities”); (iv) warrants to purchase Debt Securities, warrants to purchase Common Stock and warrants to purchase Preferred Stock (collectively, the “Warrants”); and (v) units comprised of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, Warrants to purchase Common Stock or Preferred Stock, Debt Securities or any combination of those securities (the “Units”). The Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Debt Securities, Warrants, and Units are collectively referred to herein as the “Securities.”
The Debt Securities are to be issued under an indenture, to the extent applicable, to be entered into between the Company and a trustee chosen by the Company and qualified to act as such under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (a “Trustee”), in a form filed as an exhibit to a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement (each, an “Indenture” and collectively, the “Indentures”).
This opinion letter is being delivered in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act.
In connection with our opinion, we have examined the Registration Statement, including the exhibits thereto, and such other documents, corporate records and instruments, and have examined such laws and regulations, as we have deemed necessary for the purposes of this opinion. In making our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity with the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies and the legal capacity of all natural persons. As to matters of fact material to our opinions in this letter, we have relied on certificates and statements from officers and other employees of the Company, public officials and other appropriate persons.
In rendering the opinions in this letter we have assumed, without independent investigation or verification, that each party to each of the documents executed or to be executed, other than the Company, (a) is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, (b) has full power and authority to execute such documents to which it is a party and to perform its obligations thereunder, (c) has taken all necessary action to authorize execution of such documents on its behalf by the persons executing the same on its behalf, (d) has properly executed and delivered, or will properly execute and deliver, each of such documents to which it is a party, and (e) has duly obtained all consents or approvals of any nature from and made all filings with any governmental authorities necessary for such party to execute, deliver or perform its obligations under such documents to which it is a party. In addition, in rendering such opinions we have assumed, without independent investigation or verification, (i) that the execution and delivery of, and performance of their respective obligations under, the documents executed or to be executed by each party thereto, other than the Company, do not violate any law, rule, regulation, agreement or instrument binding upon such party and (ii) that each of such documents is the legal, valid and binding obligation of, and enforceable against, each party thereto, other than the Company.
Smart In
Your World®
|
|
|
|
NextPlat Corp December 17, 2025 Page 2 |
We make no representation that we have independently investigated or verified any of the matters that we have assumed for the purposes of this opinion letter.
Based on the foregoing and subject to the qualifications set forth below, we are of the opinion that, when any applicable state securities have been complied with:
1. With respect to any offering of Common Stock (the “Offered Common Stock”), when (i) an appropriate prospectus supplement with respect to the Offered Common Stock has been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder; (ii) if the Offered Common Stock is to be sold pursuant to a firm commitment underwritten offering, the underwriting agreement with respect to the Offered Common Stock has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; (iii) the board of directors, including any appropriate committee appointed thereby, and appropriate officers of the Company have taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance of the Offered Common Stock and related matters; and (iv) the terms of the issuance and sale of the Offered Common Stock have been duly established in conformity with the Company’s Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws of the Company, so as not to violate any applicable law or the Company’s Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws of the Company or result in a default under a breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company, the Offered Common Stock, when issued and sold in accordance with the applicable underwriting agreement, if any, or any other duly authorized, executed and delivered valid and binding purchase or agency agreement upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
2. With respect to any offering of shares of any series of Preferred Stock (the “Offered Preferred Stock”), when (i) an appropriate prospectus supplement with respect to the Offered Preferred Stock has been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder; (ii) if the Offered Preferred Stock is to be sold pursuant to a firm commitment underwritten offering, the underwriting agreement with respect to the Offered Preferred Stock has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; (iii) the board of directors, including any appropriate committee appointed thereby, and appropriate officers of the Company have taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of the Offered Preferred Stock and related matters, including the adoption of a Certificate of Designation for the Offered Preferred Stock in accordance with the applicable provisions of Nevada law (the “Certificate of Designation”); (iv) the Certificate of Designation has been duly filed with the Nevada Secretary of State; and (v) the terms of the Offered Preferred Stock and of its issuance and sale have been duly established in conformity with the Company’s Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws of the Company, including the Certificate of Designation, so as not to violate any applicable law or the Articles of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Company or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company: (1) the shares of the Offered Preferred Stock, when issued and sold in accordance with the applicable underwriting agreement, if any, or any other duly authorized, executed and delivered valid and binding purchase or agency agreement upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable; and (2) if the Offered Preferred Stock is convertible or exchangeable into shares of Common Stock, the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion or exchange of the Offered Preferred Stock will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, assuming the conversion or exchange of the Offered Preferred Stock is in accordance with the terms of the Certificate of Designation.
|
|
NextPlat Corp December 17, 2025 Page 3 |
3. With respect to any offering of any series of Debt Securities (the “Offered Debt Securities”), when (i) the relevant Indenture, if applicable, has been duly executed and delivered, (ii) an appropriate prospectus supplement with respect to the Offered Debt Securities has been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder; (iii) if the Offered Debt Securities are to be sold pursuant to a firm commitment underwritten offering, the underwriting agreement with respect to the Offered Debt Securities has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; (iv) the board of directors, including any appropriate committee appointed thereby, and appropriate officers of the Company have taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of the Offered Debt Securities and related matters; (v) the terms of the Offered Debt Securities and of their issuance and sale have been duly established in conformity with the relevant Indenture so as not to violate any applicable law or the Company’s Articles of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Company or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company; and (vi) the Offered Debt Securities have been duly executed and authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the relevant Indenture and duly delivered to the purchasers thereof upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor: (1) the Offered Debt Securities, when issued and sold in accordance with the applicable underwriting agreement, if any, or any other duly authorized, executed and delivered valid and binding purchase or agency agreement, will be legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms; and (2) if the Offered Debt Securities are convertible or exchangeable into shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, the shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock issuable upon conversion or exchange of the Offered Debt Securities will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, assuming the conversion or exchange of the Offered Debt Securities is in accordance with the terms of the relevant Indenture and, in the case of Preferred Stock, a Certificate of Designation has been duly adopted and filed with the Nevada Secretary of State.
4. With respect to any offering of Warrants (the “Offered Warrants”), when (i) an appropriate prospectus supplement with respect to the Offered Warrants has been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder; (ii) if the Offered Warrants are to be sold pursuant to a firm commitment underwritten offering, the underwriting agreement with respect to the Offered Warrants has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; (iii) the board of directors, including any appropriate committee appointed thereby, and appropriate officers of the Company have taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of the Offered Warrants and related matters, including the adoption of the Warrant Agreement with respect to Warrants to purchase Debt Securities, the Warrant Agreement with respect to Warrants to purchase Common Stock, or the Warrant Agreement with respect to Warrants to purchase Preferred Stock, (individually, a “Warrant Agreement”), as the case may be, for the Offered Warrants; (iv) the terms of the Offered Warrants and of their issuance and sale have been duly established in conformity with the Company’s Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws of the Company so as not to violate any applicable law or the Articles of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Company or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company; and (v) the Warrant Agreement for the Offered Warrants has been duly executed and delivered and certificates representing the Offered Warrants have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered to the purchasers thereof upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor: (1) the Offered Warrants, when issued and sold in accordance with the applicable underwriting agreement, if any, or any other duly authorized, executed and delivered valid and binding purchase or agency agreement, will be legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company; (2) if the Offered Warrants are exercisable for shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, the shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock issuable upon exercise of the Offered Warrants will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, assuming the exercise of the Offered Warrants is in accordance with the terms of the Warrant Agreement with respect to Warrants to purchase Common Stock or the Warrant Agreement with respect to Warrants to purchase Preferred Stock, as the case may be, and assuming, in the case of Preferred Stock, a Certificate of Designation has been duly adopted and filed with the Nevada Secretary of State; and (3) if the Offered Warrants are exercisable for Debt Securities, the Debt Securities issuable upon exercise of the Offered Warrants will be legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, assuming the relevant Indenture has been duly executed and delivered and assuming the exercise of the Offered Warrants is in accordance with the terms of the Warrant Agreement with respect to Warrants to purchase Debt Securities and is in accordance with the terms of such Indenture.
|
|
NextPlat Corp December 17, 2025 Page 4 |
5. With respect to any offering of Units (the “Offered Units”), when (i) an appropriate prospectus supplement with respect to the Offered Units has been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder; (ii) if the Offered Units are to be sold pursuant to a firm commitment underwritten offering, the underwriting agreement with respect to the Offered Units has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; (iii) the board of directors, including any appropriate committee appointed thereby, and appropriate officers of the Company have taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of the Offered Units and related matters, including the adoption of any Unit Agreement for the Offered Units (the “Unit Agreement”); (iv) the terms of the Offered Units and of their issuance and sale have been duly established in conformity with the Company’s Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws of the Company so as not to violate any applicable law or the Articles of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Company or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company; and (v) the Unit Agreement has been duly executed and delivered and certificates representing the Offered Units have been duly executed, authenticated, registered and delivered to the purchasers thereof upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor: (1) the Offered Units, when issued and sold in accordance with the applicable underwriting agreement, if any, or any other duly authorized, executed and delivered valid and binding purchase or agency agreement, will be legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company; and (2) the shares of Common Stock issuable upon settlement of the Offered Units will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, assuming the Offered Units are settled in accordance with the terms of the Unit Agreement.
The opinions set forth above are subject to the following qualifications:
A. The opinions expressed herein with respect to the legality, validity, binding nature and enforceability of any Securities are subject to (i) applicable laws relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, whether now or hereafter in effect and (ii) general principles of equity, including, without limitation, concepts of materiality, laches, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing and the principles regarding when injunctive or other equitable remedies will be available (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).
|
|
NextPlat Corp December 17, 2025 Page 5 |
B. The foregoing opinions are limited to the laws of the State of New York, Chapter 78 of the Nevada Revised Statutes, and the federal laws of the United States of America, and we express no opinion as to the laws of any other jurisdiction.
The opinions expressed in this opinion letter are as of the date of this opinion letter only and as to laws covered hereby only as they are in effect on that date, and we assume no obligation to update or supplement such opinion to reflect any facts or circumstances that may come to our attention after that date or any changes in law that may occur or become effective after that date. The opinions herein are limited to the matters expressly set forth in this opinion letter, and no opinion or representation is given or may be inferred beyond the opinions expressly set forth in this opinion letter.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement and to the reference to us under the caption “Legal Matters” in the prospectus contained in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
|
Very truly yours, |
||
|
ARENTFOX SCHIFF LLP |
||
|
By: |
/s/ ArentFox Schiff LLP |
|
New York Office:
805 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10022
212.838.5100
www.rbsmllp.com
New York, New York 10022
212.868.3669/Tel
212.838.2676/ Fax
www.rbsmllp.com
EXHIBIT 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated March 21, 2025 relating to the consolidated financial statements of NextPlat Corp and subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) as of and for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2024.
We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.
New York, NY
December 17, 2025